Bill Text: MS HC105 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: North MS Rural Legal Services; commend service of and congratulate upon its 50th Anniversary.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 32-1)
Status: (Passed) 2016-04-08 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC105 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-HC105-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Perkins, Wooten, Scott, Bailey, Banks, Blackmon, Burnett, Calhoun, Campbell, Clark, Clarke, Denton, Dortch, Ellis, Gibbs, Hines, Holloway, Horan, Hughes, Jackson, Karriem, Mickens, Miles, Myers, Paden, Reynolds, Straughter, Sykes, Thomas, Walker, Watson, Williams-Barnes, Young
House Concurrent Resolution 105
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF NORTH MISSISSIPPI RURAL LEGAL SERVICES IN OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, North Mississippi Rural Legal Services (NMRLS), originally called Lafayette County Legal Aid, was organized in 1966 as a training program for law students at the University of Mississippi School of Law; and
WHEREAS, NMRLS was organized as a combination of legal services and teaching program to develop a law school curriculum with a focus on legal problems of the poor, and it was subsequently incorporated as an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, receiving funds from the National Legal Services Corporation; and
WHEREAS, the mission of NMRLS is to provide high quality attorney representation and advocacy to ensure equal access to justice for the vulnerable members of society, through constant training, self-analysis and community involvement; it provides the highest quality of legal and technical assistance, which improves the daily quality of life and contributes to the attainment of social, economic and legal equality; and
WHEREAS, the program is governed by a 25-member board of directors appointed by The Mississippi Bar, the Magnolia Bar and local advisory committees, but due to funding cuts over the years its four offices in Clarksdale, Greenville, West Point and the administrative office in Oxford strive daily to meet the unmet civil legal needs of low-income Mississippians; and
WHEREAS, there are more than 250,000 low-income individuals in its 39 county service area in North Mississippi which, as of 2015, has served more than 17,000 citizens, providing access to the legal system that would otherwise be unavailable to them because of their economic situation; and
WHEREAS, for every eligible client who receives legal services, at least one is denied because of a lack of resources; and
WHEREAS, over the last 50 years, NMRLS has partnered with various funders, attorneys, friends, corporate and individual supporters to provide thousands of low-income individuals with habitable and affordable housing, safety and health, economic security and financial independence, all while ensuring each client maintains their inherent human dignity; and
WHEREAS, 50 years ago the journey began to provide high quality legal representation to the poor in order to assure equal access to the Courts of the State of Mississippi; today NMRLS continues the quest for justice to serve individuals and families regardless of race, age, gender or ethnicity; and
WHEREAS, the partnership between North Mississippi Rural Legal Services and the University of Mississippi School of Law continues the work of educating law students to increase the number of attorneys in the state who are sensitive to the needs of the low-income population and knowledgeable in the areas of the law that impact the poor; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding acts of public service like those of the North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, and it is with great pride that we join in paying tribute to this most effective and public-spirited organization whose advocacy for the less fortunate among us is a matter of record:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the 50th Anniversary of North Mississippi Rural Legal Services in Oxford, Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Board of Trustees of the North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of Oxford, Mississippi, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
