Bill Text: MS HR7 | 2023 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Dr. Vernon Rayford; commend for outstanding service during COVID-19 pandemic.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-01-12 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR7 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2023-HR7-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Thompson
House Resolution 7
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING DR. VERNON RAYFORD FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS AND SERVICE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
WHEREAS, Dr. Vernon Rayford, of Tupelo, Mississippi, was, and continues to be, instrumental in leading his community through one of the most difficult and challenging periods in our nation's history, the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Rayford graduated from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 2009, and has spent his years as a primary care physician in North Mississippi, helping improve the health of families in rural, often marginalized communities; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Rayford was abruptly thrust into dealing with the greatest public health crisis of our generation as the coronavirus spread across the globe in a worldwide pandemic and arrived in Mississippi in March 2020, and began rapidly infecting, sickening, and hospitalizing our citizens; and
WHEREAS, as COVID-19 cases ran rampant and hospitals overflowed, Dr. Rayford developed a plan to help combat the dire consequences of the pandemic, and lessen the severity of its massive impact on the community by co-founding the Northeast Mississippi Coalition Against COVID-19, an organization working with community partnerships to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, increase COVID-19 vaccine access and address health inequities accelerated by the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, through collaboration with community partners, this distinguished organization supports community COVID-19 vaccine providers, conducts COVID-19 mobile vaccinations, and supports efforts to address the social determinants of health, such as housing, education, criminal justice reform, access to health care and access to insurance; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Rayford is highly respected for his professionalism, stellar leadership and tireless work for the City of Tupelo, especially for steadfastly helping to lead his community through the daunting challenges of the COVID-19 public health crisis; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Rayford is a wonderful asset to his community and a true public servant who devotes himself to the safety and health of Tupelo citizens, and his exceptional service is greatly appreciated by the City of Tupelo and the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we hereby recognize and commend Dr. Vernon Rayford for his outstanding contributions and service during the COVID-19 pandemic, and extend to him our most sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Vernon Rayford, the State Department of Health and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
