MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jones, Simmons (12th), Blount, Butler (38th), Dawkins, Frazier, Horhn, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Norwood, Parker, Simmons (13th), Stone
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO MISSISSIPPI CONGRESSMAN BENNIE G. THOMPSON UPON HIS RECEIPT OF THE PRESTIGIOUS LAUREL WREATH OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC., FOR MERITORIOUS ACHIEVEMENT.
WHEREAS, at the 80th Grand Chapter Meeting and Centennial Celebration of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity in July 2011 at Indianapolis, Indiana, the members voted for the conferring of the 72nd Laurel Wreath upon Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson in recognition of his achievements in International Affairs, Government and Public Administration; and
WHEREAS, the Laurel Wreath of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., is the highest award the fraternity gives to a member. The Laurel Wreath is available only to members in good standing with the fraternity for extra meritorious achievement. This distinguished award will be presented to Congressman Bennie Thompson at the 81st Grand Chapter Meeting in Houston, Texas, in August 2013; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson represents the Second Congressional District of the State of Mississippi, which consists of 22 counties. The Second District stretches from Tunica in the Northwestern part of Mississippi down to Jefferson County in the Southwestern part of the state and all points in-between, creating a rare blend of agricultural economics and the hustle and bustle of city life; and
WHEREAS, a dedicated supporting member of the Jackson, Mississippi, Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Congressman Thompson loves his fraternity where he is well-known as a dynamic, committed, history making, and caring representative. He is regularly requested to speak at the Provincial Council, Founder's Day programs and other Kappa banquets and events. Notably, he served as the closed banquet speaker for the 79th Grand Chapter Meeting in Washington, D.C., in August 2009; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Thompson is currently serving his eighth term as the Democratic Congressman for Mississippi's Second Congressional District and third term on the Homeland Security Committee. Congressman Thompson has spent his entire adult life giving a voice to the voiceless. With more than 39 years of continuous public service, he is the longest serving African-American elected official in the State of Mississippi. He served as Alderman and Mayor in his hometown for 12 years, after which he served as Hinds County Supervisor for 13 years before being elected to Congress in 1993; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Thompson has long been considered a leading voice on civil rights, equal education and healthcare reform; and it is with great pride that we acknowledge the conferring of this outstanding recognition on a respected and influential member of Mississippi's congressional delegation:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby pay tribute to Mississippi Congressman Bennie G. Thompson upon his receipt of the prestigious Laurel Wreath of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., for his achievements in public administration, and extend to Congressman Thompson and his family our best wishes on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Congressman Thompson, transmitted to the members of Mississippi's congressional delegation, and representatives of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.