MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 3rd Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Burton, Butler, Gollott, Hewes, Jackson (11th), Jordan, Lee (47th), Simmons, Thomas, Tollison, Walls
A RESOLUTION TO COMMEND MISSISSIPPI GAMING COMMISSION CHAIRMAN LEN BLACKWELL OF GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, FOR HIS PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Leonard Adam "Len" Blackwell II, has served with distinction as Chairman of the Mississippi Gaming Commission for the past three years until his term of office expired on September 30, 2004; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the Mississippi Gaming Commission is to enforce the Gaming Control Act and Charitable Gaming Laws of the State of Mississippi in such a manner that will ensure the integrity of the State of Mississippi and maintain the public confidence in both the charitable gaming and casino gaming industries by working in conjunction with the industry. The Mississippi Gaming Commission works in concert with international, national, state, county, local regulatory and law enforcement agencies to establish a safe and crime free environment, and to ensure economic development that is in both the best interest of the citizens of the state. This free market system which is regulated by the commission and its chairman has been referred to as the "Mississippi Model" for its effectiveness; and
WHEREAS, Chairman Leonard Adam "Len" Blackwell II, was born in Brookhaven, Mississippi. He is a 1963 graduate of the University of Mississippi and a 1966 graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law. Mr. Blackwell was President of Omicron Delta Kappa and a member of the Editorial Board of the Mississippi Law Journal at the University of Mississippi School of Law; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Blackwell is a partner in the Law Firm of Blackwell and White in Gulfport, Mississippi, and also is a timber farmer in South Mississippi. He served as President of the Young Lawyers Section of The Mississippi Bar in 1978, was a member of the Board of Directors of South Mississippi Legal Services Corporation from 1982-1991, serves as a panel member of the Mississippi State Bar Pro Bono Project, has been a lecturer at the University of Mississippi School of Law since 1981 and was President of the Mississippi State Bar from 1990-1991. He holds the rank of Advocate in the American Board of Trial Advocacy, and is a member of numerous professional and civic organizations; and
WHEREAS, during Chairman Blackwell's tenure, the Mississippi Gaming Commission was particularly active in streamlining the functions of the Gaming Laboratory, which approves all electronic gaming devices and firmware and establishes maintenance procedures for machine field testing and jackpot verification; and
WHEREAS, he is married to the former Mary Eloise Ladner. He and his wife have two daughters and attend St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Commissioner Blackwell and his family reside in Gulfport, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize the public service and integrity of this citizen who has served this important industry and the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the legacy of public service of Mississippi Gaming Commission former Chairman, Leonard Adam "Len" Blackwell II, and express to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature in their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Len Blackwell and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.