MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2015 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Warren

House Concurrent Resolution 111

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING KATIE ROGERS OF COLLINS, MISSISSIPPI, FOR BEING NAMED A STATE HONOREE IN THE 2015 PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS.

     WHEREAS, Katie Rogers, an esteemed resident of Collins, Mississippi, and a student at Simpson County Academy, merited national recognition for her exemplary volunteer service when she was named a 2015 State Honoree in the 20th annual Prudential Spirit of Community Awards; and

     WHEREAS, this prestigious award, presented by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, honors young volunteers across America like Katie who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to serving their communities; and

     WHEREAS, all public and private middle and high schools in the country, as well as all Girl Scout Councils, County 4-H organizations, American Red Cross Chapters, YMCAs, Camp Fire USA Councils and volunteer centers, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award, and after the local honorees were reviewed, State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists were selected based on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth; and

     WHEREAS, as a State Honoree, Katie will receive a $1,000 award, an engraved silver medallion, and a trip to Washington, D.C., for a series of national recognition events during which she will be considered for the National Honoree title, the winner of which receives an additional $5,000 award, a gold medallion, a crystal trophy, and a $5,000 grant from the Prudential Foundation for a charitable organization of their choice; and

     WHEREAS, Katie earned the prestigious award by volunteering at a local hospital, serving as an intern for the American Cancer Society and traveling to Peru to teach English to children in rural villages; and

     WHEREAS, Katie's heart has always beat with an unparalleled compassion for children who are sick or suffering, so when a good friend of hers was diagnosed with acute leukemia, an urge to care for him and divert his thoughts from the illness, consumed her to the point that she realized her calling was to become a pediatric oncology nurse, which would allow her to fulfill the needs of those children daily; and

     WHEREAS, unable to shelve her avid desire to nurse ailing children until she had a nursing degree in her hand, Katie began dedicating her time and energy as a volunteer at Blair E. Batson Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi, in the children's activity room, the place where young patients play and hang out with each other, and with the help of games, jokes, laughter, and horseplay, her job as a volunteer was to bolster the children's spirits, allowing them to have fun and forget about their sickness, their upcoming surgeries or any other obstacle they might be facing in their young, precious lives; and

     WHEREAS, while most people consider long hours or low pay the worst part of a job, for Katie's volunteer efforts, the most difficult part has been knowing that some of those innocent, beautiful children she has come to love will one day be overwhelmed by sickness and lose their battle, but despite that devastating reality, Katie cherishes the time she has with them, putting the inevitable aside so that she may fill their lives with deserved youth, vibrant animation and blissful exhilaration, turning their frowns upside down; and 

     WHEREAS, Katie's desire to make children smile when they are not feeling their best has also prompted her to volunteer for the American Cancer Society, delivering toys to hospitals, designing T-shirts, supporting fundraising races, and providing other assistance; and

     WHEREAS, consumed with a remarkable spirit of volunteerism, Katie Rogers serves as an icon and role model for her peers, as her extraordinary example of selfless service to others encourages and inspires all those around her to volunteer, and those outstanding efforts have showered benevolence onto her community and brought pride and honor to the City of Collins, Simpson County Academy and the State of Mississippi; and 

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to pay special recognition to exceptional young Mississippians such as Katie Rogers, a young adult of incredible leadership ability and compassion who represents the very best of America's youth and the future of this great Magnolia State:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Katie Rogers of Collins, Mississippi, for being named a State Honoree in the 2015 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and extend to her best wishes for continued success in all of her academic, professional and personal endeavors. 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Katie Rogers and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.