House Resolution 30

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND MERITORIOUS LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE THAT MR. DEN KNECHT HAS PROVIDED TO THE JACKSON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION.

WHEREAS, Mr. Den Knecht has devoted his life to serving and improving the State of Mississippi not only through his professional contributions but also through his service as a member of the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Knecht served 32 years with Ingalls Shipbuilding and its predecessor company Litton Industries, and as vice president since January 1985, he retired in 2003 as vice president for communications and employee services where he was responsible for public relations, security and labor relations for facilities in Pascagoula, Gulfport and New Orleans and was the company's chief spokesman for the negotiation of labor-management contracts; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Knecht has served on the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation's (JCEDF) Board of Directors since December 2000, and for over two decades, he has dedicated his time and talents to improving the quality of lives for countless Mississippians and played an instrumental role in the effort to transform the JCEDF into what is now widely regarded as a model of public-private economic development partnership in the State of Mississippi, and in 2002, he served in a leadership role for the JCEDF's first Partners in Progress capital campaign which raised $6 Million to fund the JCEDF's program of economic development; and

WHEREAS, as a result of his unwavering commitment to the JCEDF, Jackson County is enjoying phenomenal economic development success, including the location of Northrop Grumman's Autonomous Systems Center, Gulf LNG Import Terminal, Rolls Royce Naval Marine, James Town Metal expansion, VT Halter Marine Polar Security Cutter expansion and ST Engineering Halter Marine Offshore expansion; and

WHEREAS, in January 2004, Mr. Knecht was appointed by his fellow JCEDF Board of Directors to lead Jackson County's defense of Naval Station Pascagoula from closure by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC), and he successfully led the effort to both educate and mobilize an entire community towards a dual tract goal of base defense coupled with long term re-utilization of the Singing River Island property for maximum, long-term economic impact; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Knecht's time, talent and commitment, before and throughout the BRAC Process, positioned Jackson County to pursue the highest and best utilization of the Naval Station, and under his leadership, the diversification committee set a goal of reaching the full potential of economic development on Singing River Island with the first priority of the committee being to retain and expand as much Department of Defense presence as possible; and

WHEREAS, additionally, Mr. Knecht has served on the board of the Jackson County chapter of the American Red Cross and the board of the Public Education Forum of Mississippi, where he is a founding member and past chairman; and

WHEREAS, over the past 40 years, Mr. Knecht has been a dedicated, tireless community leader, as his dedication to his community has served as a model and inspiration to others and exemplifies economic development volunteerism at its finest, and his contributions have not only made a significant impact on the lives of the citizens of Jackson County but also on the economic development of the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast region; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the magnificent contributions to economic development that exceptional Mississippians such as Mr. Den Knecht, provide to the citizens of this great Magnolia State:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the distinguished career and meritorious leadership and service that Mr. Den Knecht has provided to the Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, and extend to him most sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

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