MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Wallace, Aguirre, Anthony, Arnold, Bounds, Boyd, Carpenter, Clark, Currie, Ford, Gibbs (36th), Guice, Haney, Hopkins, Huddleston, Johnson (87th), Ladner, Mangold, Morgan, Rosebud, Sanford, Scoggin, Shanks, Shirley, Tullos, Weathersby, Zuber, Evans (45th), Evans (91st)
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING MR. JOSEPH LANE STEELE FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER, MERITORIOUS LEADERSHIP AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS 35TH YEAR AS A FIREFIGHTER WITH THE MAGEE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WHEREAS, being a firefighter is one of the most heroic occupations a person can pursue, and Mr. Joseph Lane Steele has spent the last 35 years of his life providing incomparable and zealous service, leadership and dedication to the State of Mississippi as a member of the Magee Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 1984, Mr. Steele began his career in fire and emergency response as a firefighter with the Magee Fire Department, and since that time, he has only missed four fire meetings, which means he has attended 836 of the 840 fire meetings, a nearly perfect record; and
WHEREAS, after displaying extraordinary dedication to promoting and upholding the principles of public safety, Mr. Steele was first promoted to Fire Chief in 2002, and after garnering much respect and admiration from his colleagues and superiors, he was promoted once again to Simpson County Firefighters Association President in August 2008; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his exceptional character and phenomenal leadership, Mr. Steele received the Fireman of the Year for the State of Mississippi award in 1998, and he received the Firefighter of the Year for the Magee Fire Department in 1991 and 1998, and throughout his illustrious tenure he has worked fervently to provide his utmost in fire and emergency response services; and
WHEREAS, equipped with a wealth of leadership expertise and vast fire and emergency response experience, Mr. Steele, whose passion for public service is innately embedded in his DNA, was awarded the Magee Fire Department Golden Heart Award in 2016, which is presented to someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty to help one of his fellow firefighters out in a time of need; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his role as firefighter extraordinaire, Mr. Steele has served as Alderman in Ward 3 for the past 21 years and has not missed a single meeting of the 504 meetings held during his tenure, and for his dedication and service, he was awarded the Magee Citizen of the Year in 2004-2005; and
WHEREAS, throughout his 35 year career in fire and emergency response, Mr. Steele has faced dangerous situations each day that demanded he put his life on the line, and each time the call came, he fearlessly and bravely rushed into perilous predicaments and responded to a variety of emergency events and catastrophes; and
WHEREAS, with incredible courage and superb perseverance, Mr. Steele has been an exceptional firefighter and leader throughout his stellar career, and his indomitable grit, dexterous abilities and passionate determination are truly appreciated by all of his colleagues and others who have the opportunity to work with him and experience his greatness; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to pay tribute to great, heroic Mississippians such as Mr. Joseph Lane Steele, whose unparalleled leadership, dauntless fortitude and unwavering duty to save the lives of the people of this great state bring honor and glory to his friends, family and the City of Magee:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and honor Mr. Joseph Lane Steele for his distinguished career, meritorious leadership and outstanding service upon the occasion of his 35th year as a firefighter with the Magee Fire Department, and extend sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Joseph Lane Steele and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.