Sen. Al Lawson submitted a resolution asking lawmakers to declare March 21 the official statewide “FAMU Day” in light of the city-wide celebration scheduled to take place Wednesday at the Capitol.
Tawana Thompson, legislative assistant to Lawson, said the resolution is found in Senate Bill 844, which requests to formerly recognize FAMU for its contributions as an institution of higher education.
Students, trustees, alumni and state legislators are expected to attend the event.
Legislators are scheduled to recognize the Rattler men’s basketball team, women’s volleyball team, Marching “100,”
FAMU Royal Court and FAMU High football team at 9:30 a.m. in the Senate Gallery.
While the celebration will honor FAMU, the University will also be giving back to the community.
The College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Nursing and School of Allied Health Sciences will conduct a health fair on the second floor of the Capitol.
Patricia Graham, faculty administrator of allied health careers and opportunity programs, said graduate and undergraduate students will assist faculty members in conducting simple tests on willing participants.
Graham said assistant professors Mary Simmons and Candy Woods will conduct breathing and pulse tests.
Debora Oliveira and Deborah Williams will perform occupational therapy grip strength tests, and Bernard Smothers, a physical therapy instructor, will carry out body-mass index and flex tests, including flexibility tests of the lower back and hamstrings.
In addition, the health fair will provide education counseling, medication reviews and eye exams.
Individuals trained in the health and medical fields will also conduct free screenings for blood pressure and glucose.
“FAMU Day” entertainment will be provided to guests before and during the lunch break from 10:30 a.m. to 1. p.m.Jackye Maxey, government relations director, said entertainment will include The FAMU Connection, the FAMU Concert Choir, a performance by 50 members from the Marching “100” and a special appearance by the Rattler, the University’s mascot.
The University will provide shuttles to and from the Capitol beginning at 8 a.m. Anyone interested in attending the event can utilize the Rattler Bus service, which will make trips until 3:30 p.m.
The bus will run in 30- to 45-minute intervals