House Resolution 93

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING CHARLESTIEN HARRIS OF CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI, UPON BEING NAMED RECIPIENT OF THE "2023 FINANCIAL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR" AWARD BY THE ASSOCIATION FOR FINANCIAL COUNSELING AND PLANNING EDUCATION (AFCPE).

WHEREAS, the Northern Delta financial and banking community and the citizens of Clarksdale, Mississippi, are proud to celebrate the announcement of Charlestien Harris as the recipient of the "2023 Financial Counselor of the Year" presented by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE); and

WHEREAS, a Clarksdale resident, Southern University alum, and 35-year veteran in financial education and counseling, Mrs. Harris is employed with Southern Bancorp Community Partners as a Credit/HUD Certified Housing Counselor, where she utilizes a network of resources to connect clients with services to find viable financial solutions; and

WHEREAS, trained to provide specialized financial education and support for people's situations, goals and needs, Mrs. Harris, throughout her tenure with Southern Bancorp Community Partners, regularly works with individuals in underserved and unbanked communities; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Harris, who has been certified by the Association of Financial Counseling Planning and Education (AFCPE) as an Accredited Financial Counselor since 2003, is also certified by Neighbor Works as a foreclosure and default specialist, a HUD certified housing counselor, a credit repair specialist, a licensed military home specialist with the Boots Across America Program, and most recently she was certified as a trainer by Freddie Mac with the Credit Smart curriculum; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Harris has served as Southern Bancorp's Credit/Housing Counselor for the past 13 years, however, prior to her transition to the private financial sector, she had devoted more than twenty-seven years to public service with the Mississippi State University Extension Service; and

WHEREAS, throughout the course of her professional endeavor and efforts to make meaningful impact in the lives of the individuals she strives to serve with utmost integrity and compassion, Mrs. Harris enjoyed the love and support of her late husband, Elder Nathan Harris, Sr., along with their five children and 14 grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, the AFCPE has 3,215 certified professionals worldwide, and in honor of "Mississippi Saves Week" and "America Saves Week" on April 8-12, 2024; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend extraordinary business professionals of Mrs. Harris' premier caliber, whose expertise as one of Mississippi's most accomplished financial planners has garnered her recognition by her peers and has brought honor to her community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mrs. Charlestien Harris upon being named recipient of the "2023 Financial Counselor of the Year" award by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE), and extend our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Charlestien Harris, to the AFCPE, the Mississippi Bankers Association and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.