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H. R. No. 157 *HR26/R2772* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Holloway (76th)
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 157
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING DR. MARIE HAMILTON-1
ABSTON AND ESSIE DAVIS-FLORENCE, OWNERS OF HAMILTON-DAVIS MENTAL 2
HEALTH, INC., AND HAMILTON-DAVIS CARE AT HOME, INC., FOR THEIR 3
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS IN PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH AND HOME CARE 4
SERVICES TO THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. 5
WHEREAS, Hamilton-Davis Mental Health, Inc., is a provider of 6
non-medical home care services to the elderly or disabled 7
individuals, who may require assistance in their own homes and 8
communities to assist in the maintenance and retention of their 9
independence and well-being without the stress and hardships of 10
interrupted routines and changes in daily habits; and 11
WHEREAS, Hamilton-Davis Mental Health, Inc., is a proud 12
recipient of the 2015 Black Enterprise Community Pillar of the 13
Year Award for services that enrich lives and is committed to 14
building both its brand and community; and 15
WHEREAS, Hamilton-Davis Mental Health, Inc., is a provider of 16
comprehensive mental health services, including Mississippi 17
Department of Mental Health (DMH) Private Provider services for 18
individuals with substance use disorders, as well as DMH Home and 19
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Community Based Services (HCBS) ID/DD Waiver services for 20
individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities; 21
and 22
WHEREAS, Dr. Marie Hamilton-Abston, a Madison native, who 23
holds a cosmetologist license, bachelor's degree in accounting, a 24
master's degree in health administration, and doctorate in health 25
administration, is a trailblazer in Mississippi history as the 26
state's first African-American owner of an opioid treatment 27
clinic, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to providing 28
withdrawal management services to people suffering from chronic 29
addiction to opioids and opioid derivatives; and 30
WHEREAS, Dr. Marie Hamilton-Abston is the co-owner of 31
multiple thriving business establishments, consisting of: 32
Hamilton-Davis Mental Health, Inc., Hamilton-Davis Home Care, 33
Inc., Hamilton-Davis Medical Supply, Inc., Hamilton-Davis Adult 34
Day Care, Inc., Hamilton-Davis Transport, Inc., Hamilton-Davis 35
Assisted Living Agency, Inc., Hamilton-Davis Community Outreach, 36
Inc., Hamilton-Davis K-12 Private Academy, Inc., Hamilton-Davis 37
Auto Sales, Inc., Zuri Marie Cosmetics, Zuri Marie Virgin Hair and 38
Zuri Marie Fashion Designer, exemplifying entrepreneurial 39
excellence while also fulfilling her roles as a devoted mother, 40
grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, community leader and 41
multi-business owner and the rewards of fulfillment that accompany 42
each role; and 43
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WHEREAS, Dr. Marie Hamilton-Abston is also a reality TV star 44
of "Belle Collective," an American reality television series that 45
airs on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), which premiered on 46
January 15, 2021, and has continued through multiple seasons, with 47
Season 6 debuting in October 2025; and 48
WHEREAS, Essie Davis-Florence, a native of Pelahatchie, 49
Mississippi, is a graduate of Pelahatchie High School and earned a 50
bachelor of business degree in accounting from Jackson 51
State University; and 52
WHEREAS, Essie Davis-Florence is a partner and co-owner of 53
Hamilton-Davis Mental Health, Inc., Hamilton-Davis Home Care, 54
Inc., Hamilton-Davis Medical Supply, Inc., Hamilton-Davis Adult 55
Day Care, Inc., Hamilton-Davis Transport, Inc., Hamilton-Davis 56
Assisted Living Agency, Inc., Hamilton-Davis Community Outreach, 57
Inc., Hamilton-Davis K-12 Private Academy, Inc., Hamilton-Davis 58
Auto Sales, Inc., Zuri Marie Cosmetics, Zuri Marie Virgin Hair and 59
Zuri Marie Fashion Designer; and 60
WHEREAS, Essie Davis-Florence is the co-founder of the first 61
opioid treatment clinic established by an African-American woman, 62
an achievement that underscores her commitment to expanding access 63
to critical healthcare services and addressing substance use 64
disorders within underserved communities across Mississippi; and 65
WHEREAS, her work in healthcare and service sectors 66
demonstrates both innovation and resilience, particularly in 67
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navigating complex regulatory environments to deliver impactful 68
lifechanging services; and 69
WHEREAS, beyond her professional accomplishments, Essie 70
Davis-Florence is deeply committed to family, community, and 71
legacy, embodying the values of leadership, service and excellence 72
that strengthen the fabric of the State of Mississippi while also 73
maintaining a balanced family life as the wife of entrepreneur, 74
Leslie Florence, and the mother of three children, Taj Florence, 75
Dwaun Patterson and Jaedyn Florence; and 76
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 77
recognize and honor strong, accomplished, and visionary 78
African-American women who are the symbols of Mississippi's 79
remarkable talents in education, leadership, entrepreneurship, 80
service and reflect the exceptional talents and contributions of 81
the State of Mississippi: 82
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 83
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 84
recognize and commend the owners of Hamilton-Davis Mental Health, 85
Inc., and Hamilton-Davis Care at Home, Inc., for their dedication 86
to providing high-quality mental health, home care, substance 87
abuse and intellectual and developmental disability services to 88
the citizens of Mississippi, and extend best wishes for continued 89
success in all their future endeavors. 90
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ST: Hamilton-Davis Mental Health, Inc.; commend
outstanding contributions of owners, Dr. Marie
Hamilton-Abston and Essie Davis-Florence.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 91
furnished to Dr. Marie Hamilton-Abston and Essie Davis-Florence, 92
and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps. 93