MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Nunnelee, Kirby, Smith, Ferris, Dearing

WHEREAS, Dr. Michael B. Vinson, Superintendent of Tupelo Public Schools, has been named the 1999 National Superintendent of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Vinson received his Bachelor of Education and Master of Education Degrees from Mississippi College and earned his Education Doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, involved in school administration for over 30 years, Dr. Vinson has held various positions, including elementary school principal, middle school principal and Rankin County Superintendent of Education, supervisor in the Mississippi Department of Education and adjunct professor for Mississippi College; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Vinson's valuable contributions to education from prekindergarten through higher education during his 34-year tenure have positively impacted the well-being of the school children of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, while Superintendent of the Tupelo Public Schools, Dr. Vinson has received numerous professional awards, including the Milken Award, the Presidential Award of Excellence, the Sallie Mae Award, the Teacher of the Year Runner-Up for the State of Mississippi and the Phi Delta Kappa Administrator of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Vinson has been a member of many professional organizations throughout his career, such as the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents, the American Association of School Administrators, the Forum of National Center of Educational Statistics, the Mississippi Association of School Administrators and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; and

WHEREAS, in addition to Dr. Vinson's involvement in professional organizations, he also attends professional development activities including the National Center for Education Statistics Development Program, the University of Southern Mississippi Leadership Development, the Mississippi Association of Schools Administrators, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and Covey Leadership Training; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Vinson is also an active member of his community where he serves on the Administrative Board of the United Methodist Church, the Education and Program Committees of the Rotary Club, the Youth and Education Committees of the Tupelo/Lee County Summit on Volunteerism, the Board of Directors for the Family Resource Center and Habitat for Humanity; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend excellence and pay special tribute to such an outstanding leader as Dr. Michael B. Vinson, whose long and distinguished career has enriched the quality of education for students throughout the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. Michael B. Vinson on being named the 1999 National Superintendent of the Year and express our appreciation to him for all his contributions in the field of education to the State of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Michael B. Vinson, the Tupelo Public School District and the members of the Capitol Press Corps.