Senate Concurrent Resolution 533

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DEDICATED CAREER AND LEGACY OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP OF CHARLES H. CHISOLM ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.

WHEREAS, after a distinguished career of public service and stewardship of the environment and Mississippi's natural resources, Charles H. Chisolm has announced his retirement as Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality; and

WHEREAS, Charles Howard Chisolm was born and raised near Meridian, Mississippi. He graduated from Center Hill High School in 1961 and from East Central Community College in 1963. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering and in 1968 with an M.S. in Environmental Engineering: and

WHEREAS, he worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1966-1967 and with U.S. Steel in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1969; and

WHEREAS, he has worked in the Mississippi environmental protection programs since August 1969, having served in various positions, including Director of the Office of Pollution Control from 1977-1999. Since 2000, he has served as Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. The department is responsible for protecting the state's environment. It administers most of the U.S. EPA programs, including air, water and waste management activities; monitors, models and regulates water use; and functions as the State Geological Survey; and

WHEREAS, he is a member of the Mississippi Agricultural Aviation Board and has served as chairman of that board. He is Chairman of the Mississippi Coordinating Council for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems. In 2001, he served as Chairman of the Governor's Water and Sewer Task Force. He is currently a member of several other state boards; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Chisolm has been licensed as a Professional Engineer in Mississippi since 1970; and

WHEREAS, he has been recognized by the Mississippi State University College of Engineering as a Distinguished Engineering Fellow. He was given the "2005 Award for Excellence in Environmental and Resources Stewardship" by the American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy and Resources. He has received the 2004 "Engineer of the Year Award" from the Mississippi Engineering Society and also the 2003 "Conservationist of the Year Award (Governor's Award)" from The Mississippi Wildlife Federation; and

WHEREAS, he and his wife, Nikki, have been married for 40 years and reside in Brandon, Mississippi. Their son, Eric, lives in Los Alamos, New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the many years of selfless service by this dedicated public servant who leaves a legacy of protecting Mississippi's environment:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the dedicated career and legacy of environmental stewardship of Charles H. Chisolm on the occasion of his retirement as Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality and extend 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 Charles Chisolm, be forwarded to the Commission on Environmental Quality and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.