MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Gollott, Dawkins, Watson, Hewes, King, Kirby, Butler (38th), Dearing, Fillingane, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, Stone, Ward, Wilemon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING MARCH 20-26, 2011, AS "BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB WEEK IN MISSISSIPPI."
WHEREAS, the young people of Mississippi are tomorrow's leaders. Many young people need professional youth services to help them cope with a wide range of social and financial hardships; and
WHEREAS, since 1936, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mississippi have been the leading youth development organization in the region. Annually these clubs serve about 8,000 youth who spend over a million hours at clubs and camps in our state. Boys and Girls Clubs inspire and enable young people to become successful, responsible citizens. Thousands of alumni confirm the fact that they change the lives of at-risk youth; and
WHEREAS, many Boys and Girls Club clients come from disadvantaged circumstances. If not for their Boys and Girls Club, many would be left unsupervised, often in neighborhoods where drug use and violence are constant threats. The core characteristics upon which Boys and Girls Clubs are based set them apart from other youth-serving organizations. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Mississippi are the only organization that is 100% youth-focused and facility-based, providing youth a "Club" of their own, and staffed with full-time youth development professionals. The Clubs are open and affordable to all kids, and provide varied and diversified programs that recognize and respond to the collective and individual needs of youth; and
WHEREAS, today, thousands of boys and girls, at-risk and in need, are taking advantage of the programs, activities and services provided by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mississippi. They benefit from trained, caring, professional staff and volunteers who help young people take control of their lives, envision productive futures and reach their goals; and
WHEREAS, Boys and Girls Clubs of America had its beginnings in 1860 in Hartford, Connecticut. Believing that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative, they organized the first Club. In 1906, several Boys Clubs decided to affiliate. In 1956, Boys Clubs of America celebrated its 50th Anniversary and received a U.S. Congressional Charter. To recognize the fact that girls are also served, the national organization's name was changed to Boys and Girls Clubs of America in 1990. Accordingly, Congress amended and renewed its charter and 2006 marked the Centennial year of Boys and Girls Clubs of America, celebrating 100 years of providing hope and opportunity to young people across the country; and
WHEREAS, the Boys and Girls Club of Mississippi will celebrate National Boys and Girls Club Week with many special events and activities:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby designate March 20-26, 2011, as "Boys and Girls Clubs Week in Mississippi" and call on all citizens to join with us in recognizing and commending the Boys and Girls Club organization in your city for providing comprehensive, effective services to the young people of the state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the Commission for Volunteer Service for distribution to appropriate Boys and Girls Clubs in Mississippi and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.