Senate Resolution 54

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING LONGTIME SENATE LEGISLATIVE SERVICES OFFICE SECRETARY LINDA REAVES FOR 50 YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL AND DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE SENATE.

WHEREAS, Senate Legislative Services Office Secretary Linda Reaves is celebrating her 50th year of service to the Mississippi Senate. She has served her state well with skill, professionalism and dignity; and

WHEREAS, Linda Reaves began her employment with the Mississippi Senate in January 1970 as a session employee in the steno pool, where she was the first legislative employee to use the Mag-Card Selective Typewriter and the Magnetic Computer Word Processer. In addition to being one of the first "Mag-Card Girls," she was the only Senate employee who could take a letter or document by "shorthand," which was a valuable skill in a Senate made up of mostly attorneys. Linda was the fastest typist in the Senate and still is; and

WHEREAS, Linda has served under the following Lieutenant Governors: Charles L. Sullivan, 1970-1972; William F. Winter, 1972-1976; Evelyn Gandy, 1976-1980; Brad Dye, 1980-1992; Eddie Briggs, 1992-1996; Ronnie Musgrove, 1996-2000; Amy Tuck, 2000-2008; Phil Bryant, 2008-2012; Tate Reeves, 2012-2020; and Delbert Hosemann, 2020-present; and

WHEREAS, Linda has served under the following Directors of LSO: Rick Fortenberry, T.C. Ward, Bob Davidson and Jeff Rosamond; and

WHEREAS, we honor an individual who has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to the legislative institution, participated in the provision of staff work resulting in systemic public policy reform or improvement and consistently approached her legislative work with grace and good humor under extreme pressure; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the members of the Senate and House Staff in recognizing a career that has brought honor to the Mississippi Senate, the Mississippi Legislature and to the Great State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and congratulate longtime Senate Legislative Services Office Secretary Linda Reaves for 50 years of professional and dedicated public service to the Senate, and extend to Linda our best wishes for her future success and enjoyment with her family.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Linda Reaves and her family: daughter, Debra (Jerry) Thomas; grandchildren: Jeffrey (Lacy) Thomas, Kristi (Preston) Pierce and Jennifer (Justin) Fant; great-grandchildren: Brennan, Trey, Reaves, Lane, Ashton, Samantha, Chance, Taylor, P.J. and Zoey; and great-great-grandchildren: Ramzee, Dax, Gavin and Anna Parker; and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.