Senate Resolution 46

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING CHARLESTIEN HARRIS OF CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE "2023 FINANCIAL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR" AWARD BY THE ASSOCIATION FOR FINANCIAL COUNSELING & PLANNING EDUCATION (AFCPE).

WHEREAS, we join the Northern Delta financial and banking community and the citizens of Clarksdale, Mississippi, in congratulating Charlestien Harris upon her receipt of the "2023 Financial Counselor of the Year" award from the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE); and

WHEREAS, Charlestien Harris is a Clarksdale resident and 35- year veteran in financial education and counseling who is employed with Southern Bancorp Community Partners as a Credit/HUD Certified Housing Counselor. She accesses vast networks of resources to connect clients with the necessary services to find viable solutions and is trained to provide specialized financial education and support for people's particular situations, goals and needs. Charlestien regularly works with individuals in underserved and unbanked communities; and

WHEREAS, Charlestien is certified by the Association of Financial Counseling Planning and Education (AFCPE) as an Accredited Financial Counselor and has held the AFCPE certification since 2003. She is also certified by Neighbor Works as a Foreclosure and Default Specialist, a HUD Certified Housing Counselor and as a Credit Repair Specialist. Charlestien is a licensed Military Home Specialist with the Boots Across America Program and was recently certified as a trainer by Freddie Mac with the Credit Smart curriculum; and

WHEREAS, for the last thirteen years, Charlestien has been a Credit/Housing Counselor with Southern Bancorp in Clarksdale. Prior to that, she was with Mississippi State University Extension Service for over twenty-seven years; and

WHEREAS, Charlestien and the late Elder Nathan Harris, Sr., have five children and fourteen grandchildren. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Southern University; and

WHEREAS, the AFCPE has 3,215 certified professionals worldwide, and in honor of "Mississippi Saves Week" and "America Saves Week" April 8-12, 2024, it is appropriate to commend a Mississippi financial planner who has been commended in her profession by her peers and has brought honor to her community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize Charlestien Harris of Clarksdale, Mississippi, as the recipient of the "2023 Financial Counselor of the Year" award by the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE), and extend to Ms. Harris our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Charlestien Harris, forwarded to the AFCPE and the Mississippi Bankers Association and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.