House Resolution 33

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING CAPTAIN JIMMY WISEMAN OF THE SOUTHAVEN FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR BEING THE LONGEST TENURED EMPLOYEE IN SOUTHAVEN'S HISTORY AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN FOUR DECADES OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF SOUTHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Captain Jimmy Wiseman of the Southaven Fire Department has decided to retire after 43 years and seven months of distinguished and dedicated service to the citizens of Southaven, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, his retirement comes with historic reference as his many years of service make him the longest tenured employee of the City of Southaven; and

WHEREAS, he began his professional journey with the city as a volunteer firefighter in August 1980, shortly after graduating from Southaven High School; and

WHEREAS, on May 23, 1981, he was hired as a full time employee and was quickly promoted to an operator/driver position, which he worked in for six years before being promoted to Lieutenant in 1987; and

WHEREAS, he enjoyed being Lieutenant for nine years before being promoted to his current position of Captain of the fire department in 1996; and

WHEREAS, as Captain, he has played a key role in leading the men and women of the department through revolutionary changes due to the city's monumental growth, population shift, housing boom and many other monumental moments in the city's history; and

WHEREAS, his professionalism and skill set have always revolved around the most critical and dangerous service of rescue as he is a specialist in rope rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue, swift water rescue, structural collapse and smoke diving; and

WHEREAS, his certification as an Advanced Rescue specialist has earned him a spot with the Mississippi Task Force One for the last 10 years; and

WHEREAS, as an elite member of this special forces team, he travels to assist other areas with specialized rescue and support during natural disasters; and

WHEREAS, men like Captain Wiseman, who dedicate their lives to protect and serve their communities thereby improving the quality of life for citizens of our state deserve positive recognition and acknowledgement by Mississippi leaders:

NOW, THEREFORE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, we do hereby commend and congratulate Captain Wiseman on the occasion of his retirement as the longest tenured employee in the City of Southaven, and wish him many more years of success in his new endeavors, whatever they may be.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Captain Jimmy Wiseman, the Southaven Fire Department and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.