House Resolution 88

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. LOUISE COLLINS BELL BLAND AND CONGRATULATING HER ON THE OUTSTANDING OCCASION OF HER 105TH BIRTHDAY.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Louise Collins Bell Bland celebrated her 105th birthday on March 16, 2018, a truly momentous and outstanding occasion; and

WHEREAS, one of six children born to Richard and Lizzie Collins in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on March 16, 1913, Mrs. Bland grew up in Hattiesburg, attended Third Ward and Eureka Schools and received her high school diploma from the American School of Chicago, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, always working towards a goal, Mrs. Bland earned her beautician's license and many other certificates and diplomas, such as an English Bible Theology Diploma, Sunday School Worker's Diploma and numerous Vacation Bible School Certificates; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Bland married her first husband Mr. Bert Bell, Sr., and they were blessed with five children, Bertie Mae Graves, Annie Gould, William Bell, Dorothy Lucas and Bert Bell, Jr., and years later she married Reverend Johnson Bland; and

WHEREAS, a God-fearing Christian before all other roles she assumed, a devoted wife and nurturing mother, grandmother,

great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, Mrs. Bland is the living embodiment of a woman of Proverbs 31:10 distinction and she possesses the ambitious spirit akin to that of King David, being a woman after God's own heart, committed to her faith, her family and her friends, and as an upstanding pillar of the community, Mrs. Bland is a faithful member of Antioch Baptist Church where she has diligently served as a Sunday School teacher, mentor to the youth and member of the choir, and she played the piano for Sunday School and trained young people to be ushers, youth leaders and respectable citizens; and

WHEREAS, throughout her long life, Mrs. Bland has done her best to spread God's love and peace everywhere she goes, and she is tremendously proud that God has always been, and will always be, the leader of her life, and she attributes her good health, long life and success to her faith in God; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Bland hopes that she leaves behind an exceptional legacy as an example of someone who achieved success by being focused, setting and pursuing goals, and most importantly, by believing in God, and her central moral compass echoes the heart of the Good Samaritan and her core ethical values encompass the importance of family, community and the love of God; and

WHEREAS, later in her adult life, Mrs. Bland has had the opportunity to travel extensively, and her most rewarding experience during her travels was visiting Israel and seeing some of the places where Jesus taught during his time, and she appeared on the "Today" television program and was a guest on "Wheel of Fortune," and received one of Mayor Dupree's keys to the city of Hattiesburg, and to celebrate her birthday her photo appeared on the Smucker's Jelly Jar; and

WHEREAS, having lived through two centuries and witnessed the many changes that have occurred in our nation, Mrs. Bland has seen America change from an agrarian society to an advanced industrial and technological giant, and she has lived during the terms of 27 Mississippi Governors and 18 United States Presidents, including the inauguration of President Barack Obama, our nation's first African-American president; and

WHEREAS, in 2014, Mrs. Bland was honored as Antioch Baptist Church's "Mother of the Year," and her many friends consider her a pillar of strength because her life symbolizes hope and success, not only for a college educated person, but also for a person without a college education; and

WHEREAS, blessed with 15 grandchildren, 11

great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren, Mrs. Bland is the matriarch of her family dynasty and remains the archetype icon and central foundation of a family that retains an unbreakable bond of love, honor, devotion, commitment and encouragement for each generation; and

WHEREAS, at 105 years old, Mrs. Bland continues to be a blessing to others through her encouraging nature and wise counsel, and continues to live an active life, spending time with her family, serving her church and enjoying the company of her countless friends, and she shares her positive attitude and optimistic outlook on life, while crediting the gift of her good health, longevity and success to her unwavering faith in God; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend fine Mississippians, especially those such as Mrs. Louise Collins Bell Bland, whose faith in God, devotion to her family and dedication to her church bring honor to her family, her community and to the Magnolia State:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of Mrs. Louise Collins Bell Bland and congratulate her on the outstanding occasion of her 105th birthday, and extend best wishes for success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Louise Collins Bell Bland and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.