MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2003 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Walls, Blackmon, Simmons, Frazier, Horhn, Johnson (38th), Turner, Jordan, Harden, Jackson
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE SERVICE OF GARY L. ANDERSON, THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN APPOINTED AS STATE FISCAL OFFICER FOR THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Gary L. Anderson is the son of Odie and Gertrude Anderson; he was born in rural North Mississippi, Town of Byhalia; and
WHEREAS, Gary L. Anderson earned a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration and a Master's Degree in Urban Regional Planning from the University of Mississippi, where he participated in various student organizations; and
WHEREAS, Gary L. Anderson is married to the lovely Debra Miller, of which they celebrate 20 years of married bliss; and
WHEREAS, Gary L. Anderson is the first African-American to serve as the State Fiscal Officer from the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Gary L. Anderson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Anderson Group from 1996-2000. He also served as Senior Vice President of Community Development for Sunburst/Union Planters Bank, 1993-1996; Deputy Director of the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development, 1990-1992; Community Planner, Assistant Director and Director of the Governor's Office of Federal-State Programs, MDECD, 1981-1990; and
WHEREAS, as State Fiscal Officer, Gary L. Anderson serves on numerous state boards and commissions. He is currently Chairman of the State and School Employees' Health Insurance Management Board, Staff Advisor to the Bond Commission, and a member of the Mississippi Tort Claims Board; and
WHEREAS, Gary L. Anderson has been and continues to be active in several community and civic organizations, including memberships in Leadership Jackson and the Community Development Foundation of Greater Jackson, and also a member of Koinonia Baptist Church, where he serves as a Deacon on the Deacon Board; and
WHEREAS, appointed to serve as the State Fiscal Officer in January 2000, Gary L. Anderson has made significant contributions to the State of Mississippi. His leadership in budget management is well documented by such financial entities as Moody's, Standard and Poor's and Fitch's rating agencies and the Bond Buyer, a financial trade industry publication; and
WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi consistently ranks among the top in states having exercised skillful, fiscally prudent management of budgets during the most recent nation recession; and
WHEREAS, while serving as State Fiscal Officer for Mississippi, Gary L. Anderson was invited by the European Union to participate in a study of European fiscal policy, focusing on the conversion of several different European currencies into the present Eurodollar; and
WHEREAS, Gary L. Anderson has advocated a strong fiscal policy that focuses on investments in people, processes and technology during this recessional period affecting our national economy, steering the Department of Finance and Administration into expanding its services while sustaining a 17% decrease in General Fund appropriations; and
WHEREAS, Gary L. Anderson's 22 years of working with communities to finance housing, comprehensive planning, public facilities, community and economic developing needs prepared him for the responsibility to oversee the administration of the state life and health insurance program, tort claims process, crime victim compensation program, the Unemployment Compensation Revolving Fund, the sale of state general obligation and revenue bonds, and the State's accounting and pre-audit functions, as well as purchasing land for the state, assignment of space in state-owned buildings, police protection for various state agencies, repair and renovation needs for state properties and the primary building authority for construction and renovation of state facilities; and
WHEREAS, Gary L. Anderson received certification from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University as part of his participation in the National Institute of Public Finance in August of 2000. He completed requirements for certification as an Economic Development Financing Professions by the National Development Council, and attended a seminar on creative business negotiating sponsored by the Institute for Negotiations; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Senate to recognize and commend Gary L. Anderson for his dedication to improving the lives of all Mississippians by his continued service to the State of Mississippi in both the public and private sectors:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize Gary L. Anderson's excellent, consistent and determined contributions to the various communities he serves, we commend him for his contribution to all Mississippians for his devoted service to the State of Mississippi through his work in the public and private sectors, and we do extend to him best wishes for his continued success in future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Gary L. Anderson and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.