House Resolution 3

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE SUCCESS OF MONICA THERESA BARNES, "MISSISSIPPI MONICA," AS PRODUCER AND TALENT BOOKER FOR THE STEVE HARVEY MORNING SHOW.

WHEREAS, Jackson, Mississippi, native, Monica Theresa Barnes, has successfully served more than a decade as the producer and talent booker for The Steve Harvey Morning Show, the No. 1 syndicated radio show for African-American listeners, having begun her work with the show in April 2007; and

WHEREAS, affectionately known by the morning show crew as "Mississippi Monica," Ms. Barnes is a 1988 graduate of Callaway High School who worked for more than 15 years as a mental health therapist and vocational rehabilitation specialist after receiving her bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1992 and her master's degree in counseling and rehabilitative services, counseling and vocational rehabilitation from Jackson State University in 1995; and

WHEREAS, after taking a leap of faith, Ms. Barnes decided to leave the private rehabilitation services sector as a consultant for CorVel Corporation in March 2007, a decision which has since launched her star power as a quick-study radio producer with a robust rolodex of the who's who in entertainment and enabled her to become one of the top talent bookers in the industry; and

WHEREAS, initially hired as a grant writer for the Steve Harvey Foundation, a request by Mr. Harvey for Monica to come into the daily show to learn the ins and outs of show production, which led to her serving as assistant producer, and ultimately positioned her as an ideal choice to be offered the job when the previous producer left the show to work for BET; and

WHEREAS, responsible for the show's daily content, positioning of sponsored commercials and content from guest contributors, scheduling all interviews, live broadcasts and in-studio performances and serving as sales liaison for all on-air promotions, Ms. Barnes' impeccable communication skills, as well as her attention to detail through her heightened organizational skills and efficiency, ensures that each new day's broadcast is better than the last; and

WHEREAS, having produced shows with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry from sports figures, political and social justice activists, musicians and actors of the likes of Attorney Benjamin Crump, Reverend Al Sharpton, Toni Braxton, Deion Sanders, Idris Elba, Morris Chestnut, Anthony Anderson, Shemar Moore, John Legend, Grant Hill and Mary J. Blige, just to name a few, "Mississippi Monica" is making lasting impressions on the national stage by working her magic behind the scenes; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the accomplishments of individuals of such remarkable caliber as Ms. Barnes, whose drive, ambition and penchant for success sheds great light upon Mississippi's wealth of talent:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the success of Monica Theresa Barnes, "Mississippi Monica," as producer and talent booker for The Steve Harvey Morning Show, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Ms. Monica Theresa Barnes and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.