House Resolution 84

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ESTEEMED CAREER OF JOE ROBINSON FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE PROVIDED TO THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND OFFERING HIM BEST WISHES UPON HIS RETIREMENT, EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2021.

WHEREAS, Joe Robinson, the Chief Porter for the House of Representatives and an invaluable institution at the Capitol, is retiring from public service this year after more than 25 years of dedicated, loyal and conscientious service; and

WHEREAS, a native and lifelong resident of Clinton, Mississippi, born on May 3, 1955, Joe started his career with the Mississippi House of Representatives as a part-time porter in 1995, before transitioning to a full-time staffer in 1997; and

WHEREAS, before his association with the House, Joe operated his own private business before relinquishing those obligations to become a peoples' servant for the members of the House, which paved the way for his promotion to porter supervisor in 1999, and ultimately as Chief Porter in 2003 upon the retirement of then Head Porter and Maintenance Supervisor Philip Robinson; and

WHEREAS, during his two and one-half decades of solid, steadfast service with the House, Joe has served under three Speakers and through the administrations of five Governors, worked with dozens of porters and hundreds of House members, celebrated the Centennial of the Capitol in 2003, and survived several extended sessions, brought on regarding issues beyond human control, including, in 2002 for Medical Malpractice Tort Reform, 2005 for Hurricane Katrina and 2020 for COVID-19 mitigation; and

WHEREAS, in his role as Chief Porter, Joe has maintained the responsibility of preparing the House for the daily opening of business, ordering supplies, providing concierge level services to state representatives by cashing checks and any other special requests made by representatives and staff alike, and supervising the House porters staff; and

WHEREAS, Joe is known by all as a hard-working, dedicated and conscientious employee with a quiet, soft-spoken demeanor, who is honest, trustworthy, pleasant, courteous and thoughtful, and always the perfect gentleman; and

WHEREAS, for those who have been members and staff during Joe's years of service with the House, the Capitol will just not be the same without Joe's presence, and we all will greatly miss him; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge outstanding Mississippians such as Joe Robinson, one we are proud to call our own, whose daily presence in the halls of the Capitol will be sorely missed, but whose legacy of selflessness, fairness, hard work and overall commitment to improving one's Mississippi State Capitol experience, has made an indelible mark on this hallowed body and all those who have been privileged to know and work with him:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the esteemed career and public service that Joe Robinson rendered as Chief Porter for the House of Representatives, congratulate him upon the occasion of his retirement from service on June 30, 2021, and extend warmest wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Joe Robinson and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.