MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2005 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Hewes, Gollott, Dawkins, Cuevas

Senate Resolution 54

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING MS. LINDA ROUSE, DIRECTOR, HARRISON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT.

     WHEREAS, coastal Mississippi, including Harrison County, has suffered our state's worst natural disasters, including Hurricanes Camille in 1969, Elena in 1985, George in 1998 and Ivan in 2004; and

     WHEREAS, Harrison County has suffered a number of man-made disasters and presents emergency management experts with numerous challenges in planning and preparedness, because of its location, large military presence, major manufacturing plants, rapidly-expanding State Port and extensive tourism; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Linda Rouse has served the county with excellence as a member of its Civil Defense/Emergency Management Agency since 1969; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Rouse succeeded the legendary Wade Guice as director of the agency; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Rouse has led the agency during Harrison County's most rapid growth as well as during enormous change for civil defense and emergency management leaders; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Rouse justly earned a reputation as a highly competent, progressive and effective public servant; and

     WHEREAS, among her many accomplishments, Ms. Rouse has built a strong team within her agency; and

     WHEREAS, because of her unfailing, unmatched commitment to duty, untold numbers of citizens escaped harm and loss of property, and hundreds of millions of public and private dollars have been saved; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Rouse has announced her retirement as of April 30, 2005:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That Ms. Linda Rouse is hereby commended without limits for devoting her career to saving others' lives and protecting their property, that Ms. Rouse receive our unending gratitude for giving immeasurably of herself to serve her homeland, and that we extend to Ms. Rouse the best wishes of the Senate for a long, happy and healthy retirement.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Ms. Rouse and her family, and be made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.