MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2010 2nd Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Gunn, Bell, Monsour, Sullivan, Ward

House Resolution 6

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE VITAL ASSET THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI POSSESSES IN THE PROMISE AND FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN, TO ENSURE THEIR CONTINUED GROWTH, PROSPERITY, PRESERVATION AND LEGACIES AS THEY MATURE INTO SUCCESSFUL AND RESOURCEFUL CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR GREAT STATE AND NATION'S SOCIETY, AND TO DESIGNATE SEPTEMBER 19, 2010, AS "BLESS OUR SCHOOLS SUNDAY - A DAY OF PRAYER FOR CHILDREN AND SCHOOLS IN MISSISSIPPI."

     WHEREAS, the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi recognizes that Mississippi's children are our state's greatest blessing, asset and are the future of our great state, and value the importance of ensuring their continued growth, prosperity, preservation and legacies as they mature into successful and resourceful contributors to our great state and nation's society; and

     WHEREAS, all of Mississippi's schools, public, private and parochial, as institutions of intricate instruction poised to mold and nurture the educable minds of our children, work to provide an enriching, stimulating, challenging, caring, secure and safe learning environment conducive to the academic, physical, social and emotional development of all students; and

     WHEREAS, loving and supporting parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, teachers, mentors, clergy, neighbors, coaches and other community members are foundational to helping young people make better choices that lead to healthier, more successful lives; and

     WHEREAS, effective and continual prayer is the greatest work we can do to positively affect the lives of the children of Mississippi and future generations; and

     WHEREAS, many women of Mississippi have prayed throughout history for their children and for their children's schools, now there is seen a new sense of urgency with mothers today to arise and cry out in prayer continuously, for the sake of their own children, the children of our state and for future generations; and

     WHEREAS, Moms in Touch International, a prayer movement that gathers mothers worldwide to pray for children and schools, is hosting on the third Sunday of September, Bless Our Schools Sunday, a time for churches worldwide to pray for children and schools; and

     WHEREAS, the Governor, along with state and local government leaders, having recognized that prayer, love and support from caring adults contribute to the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual well-being of the children of our state, join with Moms in Touch International and Mississippi Moms in Touch to encourage Mississippi churches to pray special prayers of blessing over the educators and students of their congregation and community for the coming year; and

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commit itself to safeguard the interests of and lend itself to fostering a better quality of life and education for our state's most valued resource, its children:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the vital asset the State of Mississippi possesses in the promise and future of our children, ensure their continued growth, prosperity, preservation and legacies as they mature into successful and resourceful contributors to our great state and nation's society, and designate September 19, 2010, as "Bless Our Schools Sunday – a Day of Prayer for Children and Schools in Mississippi."

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Moms in Touch International, the local chapter of Mississippi Moms in Touch and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.