House Resolution 33

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE MISSISSIPPI CHAPTERS OF THE LINKS, INC., FOR THEIR COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION ADDRESSING CHILDHOOD OBESITY AND THE ELIMINATION OF HEALTH DISPARITIES, AND WELCOMING THEM TO THE MISSISSIPPI STATE CAPITOL IN RECOGNITION OF FEBRUARY 22, 2011, AS "LINKS DAY AT THE CAPITOL."

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Chapters of The Links, Inc., are being recognized for their outstanding community service and support of legislation addressing childhood obesity and the elimination of health disparities at the Mississippi State Capitol for "Links Day at the Capitol" on February 22, 2011; and

WHEREAS, an organization of 12,000 members who are linked together by 270 chapters in 42 states and around the world, The Links, one of the nation's oldest and largest women's volunteer service organizations, are united for the common cause of enriching, sustaining and ensuring the identities, cultures and economic survival of all people of African origin; and

WHEREAS, "Links Day at the Capitol" is a project of the Southern Area of The Links, Inc., whose 75 chapters encompass more than 2,500 members who have made a difference in their communities, and seek to have an impact on their state legislatures and flexing the collective organizational strength and influence of their members; and

WHEREAS, The Links, Incorporated, was founded in 1946 by two forward-thinking women from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Margaret Hawkins and Sarah Scott, who wanted to improve their communities; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Chapters of The Links, Inc., which are not-for-profit organizations, are avid supporters of measures that close the health gap in access and education; and

WHEREAS, the focus of "Links Day at the Capitol" is to discuss the organization's national initiative, focusing on the elimination of infant mortality, cancer, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and immunizations in addition to promoting awareness of legislative issues relating to Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP); and

WHEREAS, State Co-Coordinators of Mississippi "Links Day at the Capitol," Evelyn J. Johnson and Irene Jones of the Jackson Chapter, and Rhea Williams-Bishop of the LeFleur's Bluff Chapter, have provided outstanding and dedicated leadership in the organization and promotion of this event; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize organizations such as the Mississippi Chapters of The Links, Inc., whose collective force brings about positive societal changes in the communities that they serve which in turn positively affects this great state as a whole:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the Mississippi Chapters of The Links, Inc., for their community service and welcome them to the Mississippi State Capitol during "Links Day at the Capitol" activities on February 22, 2011.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Mississippi Chapters of The Links, Inc., in the State of Mississippi, including Vicksburg, Columbus-Lowndes, Jackson, LeFleur's Bluff, Natchez, the Southern Area office, the national office and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.