Bill Text: MS HR15 | 2026 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Andrea Washington Smith; recognize and commend for outstanding service and achievements.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Passed) 2026-01-22 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR15 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-HR15-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Summers
House Resolution 15
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING MRS. ANDREA WASHINGTON SMITH FOR HER OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND ACHIEVEMENTS.
WHEREAS, as a woman of bold faith, extraordinary discipline and divine purpose, Mrs. Andrea Washington Smith is a proud wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister, whose life reflects a rare combination of leadership, resilience, and service across land, air, and sea, and as she is known as "The Warrior of the Sky and Sea," she is a trailblazer who has carved out a powerful legacy as a master helmsman, spiritual leader, and life transformer; and
WHEREAS, born in Jackson, Mississippi, Mrs. Smith began her work ethic early in life, and by the age of seven she was helping manage her family's business in North Jackson, and her mother was a neighborhood beautician, and her father was an educator and a political advisor, and these early leadership lessons laid the foundation for a dynamic career that has spanned continents and industries, and she eventually relocated to the East Coast, continuing her pursuit of excellence and service; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith spent over 23 years as a commercial flight attendant, logging thousands of hours in the sky visiting state upon state, and her grace under pressure, professionalism, and strong leadership propelled her into the role of Vice President of the Atlanta Chapter Flight Attendant Union, where she served as a key liaison between union members and airline management, advocating for improved working conditions and employee rights, and yet, seeing the entire world in the skies proved to be not enough for her; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, Mrs. Smith took her talents to the sea, sailing from continent upon continent from Australia to Djibouti, Africa, and she became a Master Helmsman with the Department of Defense and Military Sealift Command (MSC), where she now provides essential maritime support for the United States Navy by providing oceanic transportation; and
WHEREAS, MSC operates 125 civilian-crew ships tasked with relishing valuable supplies to the United States Navy, and its fleets are tasked with completing specialized missions, often establishing combat cargo caches at sea for depleted warships, and they are commissioned to transport military cargo and supplies used by the United States forces and their coalition partners; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith's role involves navigating massive ships through some of the most strategic and challenging waters in the world, including the Strait of Gibraltar, the Malacca Strait, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and more, and as Master Helmsman she applies her vast technical expertise and knowledge to maneuver through unpredictable oceanic conditions while maintaining the safety of her crew and ensuring a stayed course, no matter the scenario; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith's most fulfilling mission was navigating through the Suez Canal, a high-stakes assignment in support of MSC and the United States Navy; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith's technical precision at sea mirrors her passion for helping people stay on course in life, and as the Million-Dollar Life and Health Wellness Coach, she brings unmatched leadership, emotional intelligence, and tactical wisdom to those ready to transform, and her lifestyle coaching program is deeply rooted in her own experiences navigating literal and figurative storms, guiding clients beyond survival and into sustainable success; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith's RX4Life method delivers more than just strategies, it is a hands-on, all-hands-on-deck approach that incorporates spirituality, discipline, self-care and vision, and she has been affectionately called the "Million-Dollar Coach," not just for her ability to create visible change, but for the life-altering breakthroughs her clients experience, and from anchoring wellness to steering life goals, she equips individuals to rise, reset and take the helm of their future; and
WHEREAS, devoted to her faith, ministry has always been at the heart of Mrs. Smith's calling, as she preached her first Bible passages to her brother at age five and attended Sunday School faithfully with her family, and she now serves as a global evangelist and minister of reconciliation, having preached in seven countries with a powerful revivalist anointing, and she is also the visionary founder and overseer of W.O.R.D., Women of Royal Distinction, a movement that empowers women to live with spiritual authority, royal dignity, and God-given purpose, and the group held its first conference in 2000 and has remained active since then; and
WHEREAS, today, Mrs. Smith is most fulfilled by time spent with her loving family, including her son, Reggie, and her beloved grandchildren: Ava Violet ("The Duchess"), Ryan Elias ("The Duke") and Kally ("My Kally"), and she has been step-mother to Chenique and Juba, who have given her over 13 grandchildren, and while she is a forever daddy's girl at heart, she adores her mother and brother; and
WHEREAS, a true warrior by nature, Mrs. Smith lives by her personal motto: "Fear is a sickness, and it cripples the soul", and whether she is at the helm of a ship, a stage, or a coaching session, she is an unstoppable force, steering others toward the best version of themselves and boldly declaring that you can live a victorious life; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor exceptional Mississippians, especially those such as Mrs. Smith, a lady whose extraordinary service and achievements brings honor to her family, 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 recognize and commend Mrs. Andrea Washington Smith for her outstanding service and achievements, and extend best wishes for continued success in all her future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Andrea Washington Smith, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
