Florida Senate - 2013 (NP) SR 1794 By Senator Joyner 19-02678A-13 20131794__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing April 4, 2013, as “The Links, 3 Incorporated, Day” at the Capitol and applauding the 4 organization’s efforts to create a better quality of 5 life for the children of this state. 6 7 WHEREAS, The Links, Incorporated, with its mission and 8 purpose of friendship through community service, is composed of 9 more than 12,000 members, located in 41 states, the District of 10 Columbia, and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and 11 WHEREAS, members of The Links, Incorporated, are women of 12 African ancestry who are well educated, highly skilled and 13 trained, and capable of assisting others in overcoming adverse 14 conditions and fostering remedies that are critical to the 15 advancement of our communities and the advancement of our youths 16 into professional areas such as science, technology, education, 17 and mathematics (STEM) education and its effect on African 18 American youth, and 19 WHEREAS, working through its five functional facets, 20 International Trends and Services, National Trends and Services, 21 The Arts, Services to Youth, and Health and Human Services, The 22 Links, Incorporated, relies heavily on the expertise of its 23 professional members, including computer analysts, engineers, 24 scientists, statisticians, and educators, who work in 25 collaboration with other specialists to have a greater impact on 26 society through relevant and creative initiatives, and 27 WHEREAS, The Links, Incorporated, will promote STEM 28 activities and programs in an effort to close the achievement 29 gap for minority children by targeting pre-K through college 30 classrooms, encouraging and preparing students to attend 31 colleges and universities that have STEM programs, exposing 32 students to STEM-related careers, and equipping students with 33 the skills to compete and excel in a global workforce that 34 increasingly relies on individuals with STEM-related 35 proficiencies, and 36 WHEREAS, a host of “Links” representing the Southern Area 37 of the organization have converged on the Capitol from 38 throughout the state to show their solidarity and support of 39 STEM education through the arts and mentoring, NOW, THEREFORE, 40 41 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 42 43 That the Senate welcomes members of The Links, 44 Incorporated, from the Southern Area, applauds their passion for 45 STEM education career readiness initiatives, mentoring our 46 youth, and eradicating childhood obesity and recognizes April 4, 47 2013, as “The Links, Incorporated, Day” at the Capitol. 48 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with 49 the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to Eneid A. 50 Francis, Southern Area Director of The Links, Incorporated, as a 51 tangible token of the sentiments expressed in this resolution.