House Concurrent Resolution 97

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING KEEP RIDGELAND BEAUTIFUL UPON WINNING THE WILLIAM NASH AWARD.

WHEREAS, on February 1, 2016, Keep America Beautiful's national conference was held in Orlando, Florida, during which the organization honored its Mississippi affiliate Keep Ridgeland Beautiful with the William Nash Award, for its successful implementation of the Keep America Beautiful system; and

WHEREAS, among their many successful endeavors Keep Ridgeland Beautiful hosted the 2015 Keep Mississippi Beautiful's Great American Cleanup State Kickoff, where volunteers turned Midway Park into a jewel of the community; and

WHEREAS, the park construction and restoration required assistance from many volunteers, including students from the Olde Towne Middle School Technology Student Association, who designed, documented, and built a pergola for the park, one of the many treasures now found within Midway Park; and

WHEREAS, for their tireless work and commitment, the students of Olde Towne Middle School received the Youth Project Award, a token for making their community a more friendly and pleasant place to live; and

WHEREAS, inspired by this success, Keep Ridgeland Beautiful undertook great effort to revitalize Friendship Park, a 40-year-old park that is now a focal point of the community; and

WHEREAS, without engaging in the luxury of contentment, Keep Ridgeland Beautiful also hosted their own "Don't Flick it or You'll Get a Ticket" campaign, aimed at stifling the litter associated with discarded cigarette waste, where volunteers also planted flowers along the city's bike trails; and

WHEREAS, Keep Ridgeland Beautiful is also an active participant in local schools; committed to a sustainable future, it played a vital role in helping Ridgeland High School establish a recycling plan; and

WHEREAS, Keep America Beautiful's William Nash Award recognizes Keep America Beautiful affiliates, founded within the last three years, for their outstanding achievements in implementing the Keep America Beautiful system in their respective community; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize outstanding achievements and contributions like those of Keep Ridgeland Beautiful, their countless hours of service and tireless dedication serve as a shining example for every Mississippian to live life mindful of how they can make their community and state a nicer place to live:

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 Keep Ridgeland Beautiful, upon winning the William Nash Award, and extend best wishes for success in all of their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mayor Gene F. McGee and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.