MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Butler, Norwood, Frazier, Blount, Jackson (11th), Simmons (12th), Witherspoon, Stone, Jackson (32nd), Blackmon, Jordan, Simmons (13th), Turner
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE GREETINGS OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA ON THE OCCASION OF HER ADDRESS AT JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY'S 139TH SPRING COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY ON APRIL 23, 2016.
WHEREAS, First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver the address at Jackson State University's 139th Spring Commencement Ceremony on April 23, 2016. Mrs. Obama will address more than 1,000 graduates as well as their friends, family and members of the university community; and
WHEREAS, Jackson State University was founded in 1877 as a four-year public university; it is one of the largest institutions of higher learning in Mississippi and an Historically Black University originally established to educate newly freed African-Americans to become ministers and teachers. Mrs. Obama has delivered remarks on an Historically Black University campus each year she has served as First Lady; and
WHEREAS, echoing the call of the First Lady's "Reach Higher" initiative, Jackson State University and the Jackson Public School District collaborated to form the first laboratory school in the Jackson area. Since 2013, Blackburn Laboratory Middle School has partnered with JSU in an effort to transform Blackburn into a highly successful middle school for replication and study of successful practices in the district, state and nation; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Obama has visited Mississippi three times as First Lady, including two visits to promote her "Let's Move" initiative. She visited the state in 2010 soon after kicking off her "Let's Move" campaign, a national effort to encourage people to eat healthier food and exercise more. Mrs. Obama returned in 2013 with Chef Rachel Ray for a stop at an elementary school in Clinton to promote successful efforts there. Education and health are key issues for the First Lady. The Obama administration has advocated more funding for historically black colleges and universities; and
WHEREAS, Jackson State University's spring graduates will be among the last group of graduates to hear from First Lady Michelle Obama, and who has included the Mississippi college as part of her Reach Higher initiative; and it is with great pride that we welcome this special guest who by her presence has brought honor to Jackson State University and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the greetings of the Mississippi Legislature to First Lady Michelle Obama on the occasion of her address at Jackson State University's 139th Spring Commencement Ceremony on April 23, 2016, and extend a warm Mississippi welcome to the First Lady on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to First Lady Michelle Obama and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.