Senate Resolution 5

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO HONORABLE MARK HAIRE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM HIS LONG TENURE AS DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR THE MISSISSIPPI INSURANCE DEPARTMENT AND COMMENDING HIS CAREER OF EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SERVICE.

WHEREAS, we join the Mississippi Insurance Department and the insurance industry in honoring longtime Deputy Insurance Commissioner Mark Haire on the occasion of his retirement; and

WHEREAS, Mark Haire, General Counsel for the Mississippi Insurance Department (MID), was named Deputy Commissioner by Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney on July 1, 2009. From 1992-1997, Mark served as Staff Counsel at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, and returned to MID as a Special Assistant Attorney General in 1997. He was named General Counsel of MID in 2001, and served as Acting Deputy Commissioner since January of 2009; and

WHEREAS, Mark Haire, a Mississippi native, is a graduate of Mississippi College and Mississippi College School of Law. He began his legal career as law clerk for the firm of Kitchens and Pickard and practiced in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, before joining MID as a Staff Attorney in 1987; and

WHEREAS, in his role as Staff Attorney and General Counsel, Haire provided effective legal advice and assistance to all divisions and units within MID. In his role as Deputy Commissioner, he supervised all divisions of MID. The Deputy Commissioner supervises all insurers the Commissioner has placed into rehabilitation or liquidation. The Deputy is charged with working with the Legislature on all legislative issues, including budgeting and proposed new legislation; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Mississippi Code Section 83-1-7, the Deputy Commissioner has the power to act as Commissioner during any absence, and Mark fulfilled his duties with professionalism; and

WHEREAS, his years of experience with MID made Mark Haire a solid choice to serve as Deputy Commissioner, and we recognize and give thanks for the legacy of a dedicated public servant in shaping the regulatory framework for the insurance industry in the State of Mississippi and express our admiration, respect and deepest gratitude for his service:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the recognition of the Mississippi Senate to Honorable Mark Haire on the occasion of his retirement from his long tenure as Deputy Commissioner for the Mississippi Insurance Department and commend his career of effective public service.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Honorable Mark Haire and his family, forwarded to Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.