Senate Concurrent Resolution 686

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING MAY 11, 2012, AS "CHILD CARE APPRECIATION DAY IN MISSISSIPPI."

WHEREAS, the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and other organizations nationwide are recognizing Child Care Providers on this day; and

WHEREAS, of the 20 million children under age 5 in America, over 11 million are in some form of child care setting; and

WHEREAS, in Mississippi, Provider Appreciation Day is a special day to recognize child care providers, teachers and other educators of young children in our state, including the Excel By 5 and Building Blocks programs; and

WHEREAS, started in 1996 by a group of volunteers in New Jersey, Provider Appreciation Day is appropriately celebrated each year on the Friday before Mother's Day; and

WHEREAS, by calling attention to the importance of high-quality child care services for all children and families within our state/community, these groups hope to improve the quality and availability of such services; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi's future depends on the quality of the early childhood experiences provided to young children today; high-quality early child care services represent a worthy commitment to our children's future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby designate that May 11, 2012, is:

"CHILD CARE APPRECIATION DAY IN MISSISSIPPI"

and encourage all Mississippians to recognize child care providers for their important work.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the Governor and the National Association of Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies and other child care organizations for proper distribution, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.