MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2021
By: Representative Arnold To: Rules
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 55
1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MISS 2 ASYA BRANCH FOR BEING CROWNED MISS USA 2020 AND EXTENDING 3 SINCEREST WISHES FOR HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AT THE MISS UNIVERSE 4 PAGEANT 2021 AND IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS. 5 WHEREAS, the reigning Miss Mississippi USA, Asya Branch, was 6 crowned with the sparkling tiara and handed beautiful roses when 7 she captured the coveted title of Miss USA 2020 on Monday,
8 November 9, 2020, a true testament to her abundance of beauty, 9 grace, hard work and unwavering dedication to reaching her dreams; 10 and 11 WHEREAS, the beautiful and talented Miss Branch was born in 12 Michigan in 1998, but relocated to Booneville, Mississippi, in 13 2003 with her family, and throughout her childhood, she was raised 14 on Christian principles and began singing in church at a young
15 age; and 16 WHEREAS, Miss Branch, who is now a student at the University 17 of Mississippi studying broadcast journalism, participated and 18 placed in her first pageant in 2005, and through her continued
H. C. R. No. 55 *HR43/R1937* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2 21/HR43/R1937 PAGE 1 (ENK\EW) 19 commitment to her goals, she was later crowned Miss All-American 20 City 2017; and 21 WHEREAS, when she represented Tupelo in the Miss Mississippi 22 2018 pageant, Miss Branch's pattern of success remained steadfast 23 when the crowded Vicksburg Conference Center erupted in a 24 thundering applause as the emcee announced her name as the new
25 Miss Mississippi 2018; and 26 WHEREAS, while she did not broaden her reign as Miss America 27 2018, throughout her tenure as Miss Mississippi 2018, she 28 undoubtedly played a vital role in the lives of young girls across 29 the state, who looked to her and were inspired to reach their 30 fullest potential, fulfill their dreams and achieve greatness; and 31 WHEREAS, after her reign as Miss Mississippi 2018 ended, Miss
32 Branch competed in and was crowned Miss Mississippi USA, becoming 33 the first African-American woman to be named Miss Mississippi USA, 34 and through her new title, she was awarded the opportunity to 35 represent Mississippi at the 2020 Miss USA Pageant; and 36 WHEREAS, proving that she is an unstoppable force for good in
37 this world, Miss Branch's dedication to fitness, high scholastic 38 achievement and poise, coupled with her melodious voice, wowed the
39 judges and other contestants, and she was crowned Miss USA 2020, 40 becoming the first Mississippian to win the Miss USA Pageant; and 41 WHEREAS, as Miss USA 2020, Miss Branch will represent the 42 United States of America at the Miss Universe Pageant in 2021, 43 where her warm charm and outgoing personality will surely display
H. C. R. No. 55 *HR43/R1937* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 21/HR43/R1937 PAGE 2 (ENK\EW) 44 the hospitality of a true Mississippian, which will bring honor to 45 the Booneville community, the Miss USA organization, and the 46 entirety of the State of Mississippi; and 47 WHEREAS, throughout her entire pageant experience, Miss 48 Branch's platform has been "Empowering Children of Incarcerated 49 Parents," which is based on her own experience as a child of an
50 incarcerated parent, her father, who, despite his incarceration, 51 continues to remain her biggest supporter and has always steered 52 her in the direction of success and offered her strength for each 53 step she has taken in life; and 54 WHEREAS, using her platform and the encouragement of her 55 father, Miss Branch hopes to help children of incarcerated parents 56 understand their situation and rise above it to be empowered to
57 reach their dreams and aspirations, just as she has; and 58 WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize 59 and honor fine Mississippians such as Miss Mississippi 2018, Miss 60 Mississippi USA and Miss USA 2020, Miss Asya Branch, a young woman 61 who exudes poise, class and a tender heart, and serves as an asset
62 and wonderful role model to young girls throughout the great 63 Magnolia State and the nation with her attitude, determination and
64 professionalism that bring honor to the Booneville community and 65 the State of Mississippi: 66 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 67 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING 68 THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Miss Asya
H. C. R. No. 55 *HR43/R1937* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 21/HR43/R1937 PAGE 3 (ENK\EW) 69 Branch for being crowned Miss USA 2020 and extend sincerest wishes 70 for her continued success at the Miss Universe Pageant 2021 and 71 all her future endeavors. 72 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 73 furnished to Miss Asya Branch and to the members of the Capitol 74 Press Corps.
H. C. R. No. 55 *HR43/R1937* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 21/HR43/R1937 ST: Asya Branch; commend and congratulate upon PAGE 4 (ENK\EW) being crowned Miss USA 2020.