House Resolution 84

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND MERITORIOUS LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE OF DR. FREDA MCKISSIC BUSH.

WHEREAS, Dr. Freda McKissic Bush, of Jackson, Mississippi, has devoted her life to serving and healing the people of Mississippi through her illustrious career that spans the occupations of nurse, midwife, instructor and obstetrician-gynecologist; and

WHEREAS, after receiving her diploma from Townsend Park High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in 1963, Dr. Bush attended the University of Arkansas, where she received her bachelor of science degree in nursing, Columbia University, where she received her master of science and became a certified nurse midwife, the University of Mississippi Medical School, where she received her medical doctorate degree and the University of Tennessee, where she completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Bush was certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1989, and she is currently the President and CEO of Medical Institute for Sexual Health in Austin, Texas, and recently retired on February 28, 2017, as the Senior Partner and President of East Lakeland Ob/Gyn Associates, P.A. and as an obstetrician-gynecologist at East Lakeland Ob/Gyn Associates, P.A.; and

WHEREAS, for her numerous contributions to the medical community and the citizens of the State of Mississippi, Dr. Bush was awarded the 2017 Distinguished Service Award by the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, the 2006 Community Service Award by the Mississippi State Medical Association, named one of 50 Leading Business Women by the Mississippi Business Journal, named a 2005 Mississippi Delegate to the White House Conference on Aging, the 2000 National Health Service Corp Partners in Action Director's Award, the 1998 Mississippi Woman '98: The Power of One Award and a 1991 Fellow by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Bush was elected Chair of the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States in 2010, and in 2004, she was elected President of Central Medical Society, becoming the first woman and the first African American to hold that position; and

WHEREAS, in addition to her role as obstetrician-gynecologist extraordinaire, Dr. Bush has co-authored and published two books, Girls Uncovered: New Research On What America's Sexual Culture Does To Young Women and Hooked: New Science On How Casual Sex is Affecting Our Children, and she has penned numerous academic articles, including "Teen Pregnancy in Mississippi: A History and Analysis of Recent Legislative and Governmental Attempts to Address Different Aspects of This Issue in Mississippi" and "Nurse–Midwifery: A Southeastern Regional Strategy for Improving Maternal-Infant Care"; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Bush has also given of her time and energy to several prominent organizations, including the National Abstinence Education Association, the Mississippi Family Council, the Leadership Jackson Alumni Association and the Margaret Walker Alexander National Research Center for the Study of the Twentieth Century African American, and she currently serves at the Medical Director at the Center for Pregnancy Choices; and

WHEREAS, because of her intellect in the medical field and her experiences in the delivery room, Dr. Bush is often called as the keynote speaker for several groups, including professional, educational, civic and religious, and after each speaking engagement, her audience leaves with a heightened sense of medical awareness and a more complete understanding of topics related to their health and well-being; and

WHEREAS, for 47 years, Dr. Bush has been married to Lee R. Bush, who has been a pillar of support to her throughout their marriage, and the couple has four children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Bush is a woman of incredible stature and character whose professional and community contributions have tremendously advanced the wonderful State of Mississippi, and although she retired from delivering babies, she has not retired from her passion of helping women lead and enjoy their healthiest lives, as she will continue to serve as a shining light and beacon of hope to all women throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the magnificent contributions and unparalleled service that exceptional Mississippians such as Dr. Freda M. Bush provide to the citizens of this great Magnolia State:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the distinguished career and meritorious leadership and service of Dr. Freda McKissic Bush, and extend to her sincere wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Freda McKissic Bush and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.