MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Smith, Hill, Hudson, Butler (38th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE OF VICKIE HARIEL ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AS PEARL RIVER COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK AND FOR 38 YEARS OF COURTHOUSE SERVICE.
WHEREAS, for the last 38 years, Vickie Hariel has been a fixture at Pearl River County Court offices in downtown Picayune, Mississippi. The longtime Circuit Clerk, who has served since 1999, has announced her retirement effective December 31, 2015; and
WHEREAS, in 1977, Hariel began her public service career as Deputy Clerk under former Pearl River County Circuit Clerk Jay Monroe Spiers. When she retired, Hariel worked as Chief Deputy Clerk under former Circuit Clerk Peggy Staten. "I learned a lot from the wisdom of the two Circuit Clerks who served before me," Hariel said; and
WHEREAS, in 1999, Vickie Hariel was elected to her first term as Circuit Clerk. In that position, she served as Administrator of the Circuit Court and was in charge of keeping records and inspecting criminal, juvenile and probate filings. She also handled fees paid to the court, and kept records on any other money that passed through the court. As one can imagine, a lot has changed during Hariel's tenure with the court. In her case, no transition has been bigger or had more of an impact than evolving technology. When she first became involved with the court system, court reporting was done by shorthand, then it switched to computers, and since 2003, everything is scanned into the computer; and
WHEREAS, once retired, Hariel said she plans to spend time with her granddaughters, Madison and Destiny, travel and remain an active participant in the community. She also said the hardest part of leaving the position is saying goodbye to the people she has met over the years. "You have to have compassion, and you have to love public service. You can't do this job for 38 years if you don't have a love for servanthood or get joy from working with people," Hariel said; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute to a wonderful example for public servants, with a record of achievement and a legacy of leadership and dedication to all in Pearl River County and in the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and commend the dedicated public service of Vickie Hariel on the occasion of her retirement as Pearl River County Circuit Clerk and for 38 years of courthouse service, and extend to her and her family the best wishes of the Legislature for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Pearl River County Circuit Clerk Vickie Hariel, forwarded to the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.