MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2013 2nd Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Parker, Burton

Senate Concurrent Resolution 516

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CIVIC AND CHARITABLE SERVICE OF HELEN ST. CLAIR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI OPTOMETRY ASSOCIATION (MOA) FOR 30 YEARS.

     WHEREAS, Helen St. Clair, who retired in 2005 after serving as the Mississippi Optometry Association Executive Director for over 30 years, passed away on June 27, 2013.  She had moved to Daphne, Alabama, to live with her daughter, Loyce; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. St. Clair was a native of Jackson County, Alabama.  She attended the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa and completed her education at the University of Virginia.  She taught elementary school in Virginia for several years before moving to Mississippi in 1973, when her former husband became the MOA Executive Director.  During the next three years, she worked with the MOA and on June 8th, 1976, she became the MOA Executive Director; and

     WHEREAS, over the next three decades she accomplished many milestones, and she was the first female executive in the Southern Council States.  She was also the first female Optometric Executive Director certified by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).  Helen was the first person in Mississippi to graduate from the Chief Administrative Executive (CAE) Program, in 1984, and was honored as a Chief Administrative Executive (CAE) for life; and

     WHEREAS, she completed a masters level course after six years of study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for Organizational Management in 1983.  Helen was a member of the Mississippi Society of Association Executives (MSAE) and was named MSAE Executive of the Year in 1984.  Helen St. Clair was on the Board of Directors of the ASAE for three years.  She was also the first female President of the International Association of Optometric Executives.  Ms. St. Clair was on the Board of Trustees at the Southern College of Optometry from 1978 through 1981; and

     WHEREAS, she was proud of her work with the Red Cross.  Helen had over 35 years of service with the organization and had achieved two of its highest awards.  She had over 20 years of service to the Mississippi Chapter.  Her church work was very special to her.  She was an active member of the Twin Lakes Baptist Church in Madison and was also the Missions and WMU Chairman; and

     WHEREAS, Helen is survived by three children:  Loyce, Fred and Tom; and her grandchildren; and

     WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public spirited citizen of Mississippi who leaves a legacy of enormous civic energy:

     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 life and legacy of civic and charitable service of Helen St. Clair and extend the sympathy of the Legislature to her surviving family.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Helen St. Clair, forwarded to the Mississippi Optometry Association and the Mississippi Board of Optometry, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.