MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2003 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Little, Browning, Burton, Carmichael, Chamberlin, Chaney, Dawkins, Farris, Frazier, Furniss, Gollott, Hamilton, Harden, Harvey, Horhn, Huggins, Hyde-Smith, Jackson, Jordan, Kirby, Mettetal, Minor, Posey, Simmons, Smith, Stogner, Tollison, Walden, White, Williamson

Senate Concurrent Resolution 581

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MICHAEL CAMERON (MIKE) MOORE FOR HIS OUTSTANDING LEGAL ADVOCACY RECORD AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

     WHEREAS, Michael Cameron (Mike) Moore is completing his fourth 4-year term as Attorney General of the State of Mississippi, and is viewed by colleagues around America with a measure of respect and envy for his ability; and

     WHEREAS, Michael Cameron Moore was born on April 3, 1952, in Jackson, Mississippi.  He received his Bachelor's of Arts Degree and Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Mississippi.  In 1979, at age 26, Mike Moore was elected as Mississippi's youngest District Attorney representing Jackson County, where he was the first Mississippi District Attorney to create a drug education program for the students in his district; and

     WHEREAS, Mike Moore ran successfully for Attorney General in 1987.  As Attorney General, Mike continued his efforts to prevent children from getting involved with drugs.  In 1994, General Moore filed suit on behalf of the State of Mississippi against the tobacco companies.  In the first suit of its kind, one of the goals was to stop the tobacco industry from marketing its products to children.  In 1997, a $4 Billion settlement was reached for Mississippi.  In addition to the settlement amount, General Moore negotiated a separate payment for a program aimed at reducing tobacco use among Mississippi youths, which is presented through schools, churches, school nurses, afterschool programs and other youth activities.  There has also been a corresponding effort by the Attorney General's Office to prosecute those who sell tobacco to minors.  The results have been a drastic reduction in tobacco use by our children, thereby ensuring that lives will be saved and the quality of those lives improved; and

     WHEREAS, General Moore was the first Attorney General to successfully secure the passage of legislation for the creation of a White Collar Crime Division in the Attorney General's Office, as well as legislation for the creation of a statewide grand jury system.  He was the first Attorney General to secure legislation for the criminal prosecution of those who abuse the elderly in nursing homes and other vulnerable adults; and

     WHEREAS, General Moore was selected by his peers to be President of the National Association of Attorneys General in 1998.  He chose as his national initiative addressing "school violence," with the three main focuses of afterschool programs, mentoring programs and juvenile justice alternative programs; and

     WHEREAS, through General Moore's efforts, the number of Boys & Girls Clubs has doubled in our state and is now the eleventh largest in the country.  He is also responsible for a Communities in Schools Program, an AmeriCorps Program, the Juvenile Drug Court Program, and the Teen Court and Art Therapy Pilot Programs in the state.  Through a partnership with the Department of Education, General Moore is working to improve the alternative school program in the state and to create a truancy prevention program.  He established a public awareness campaign for a safe drop-off place for newborns to prevent mothers and other family members from otherwise harming their infants.  He created the first Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program to train doctors and nurses how to testify about sexual crimes perpetuated against children; he has also spearheaded the formation of the first Cyber Crime Center in the state to train law enforcement how to investigate and prosecute computer crimes, and he founded the Mississippi Mentoring Network, which provides technical assistance to community mentoring programs and provides scholarships to graduating seniors; and

     WHEREAS, he is recognized nationally, and the following is a partial list of his awards:  Public Official of the Year, Governing Magazine, 1998; Presidential Citation, American Association for Health Education, 1998; Lawyer of the Year, National Law Journal, 1997; One of People Magazine's 25 Most Intriguing People of the Year, 1997; Alton Oschner Medical Foundation Award Relating Smoking and Health, 1997; American Medical Association's Dr. Nathan Davis Award, 1997; American Cancer Society Distinguished Service Award, 1996; American College of Chest Physicians, Partnering for World Health Award, 1996; Wyman Award, given by members of the National Association of Attorneys General to the Attorney General, who through distinguished achievement has done the most to advance the stature of the Office of Attorney General, 1994; Ten Outstanding Young American's Award, National Jaycees, 1992; Award of Meritorius Achievement, American Heart Association, 2001; American Legacy Foundation Award, 2001; Child Health Advocate Award, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2000; National Excellence in Public Health Award for Significant Contribution and Outstanding National Leadership in Public Health, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, 2000; Golden Plate Award, American Academy of Achievement, 2000; and Dr. Charles H. Hudson Award for Cardiopulmonary Public Health, American Respiratory Care Foundation, 1999; and

     WHEREAS, Mike Moore has provided firm, effective and constructive leadership, coupled with a keen understanding of the issues facing Mississippi, therefore the Office of Attorney General is stronger now than it was when he arrived; and

     WHEREAS, Mike Moore has indicated that he will retire at the expiration of his present term in order to spend time with his wife, Letitia, and his son, Kyle, and to devote more time to the practice of law; and

     WHEREAS, the members of this Legislature wish to express sincere appreciation to Mike Moore for his many outstanding accomplishments and record of dedicated public service:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Attorney General Mike Moore for his outstanding record of legal advocacy and his unmatched contributions to the people of the State of Mississippi, and extend to him the best wishes of the Legislature in his future endeavors.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mike Moore and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.