MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Hamilton, Canon, Turner

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING RICHARD E. SMITH, JR., UPON HIS RETIREMENT AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE REGIONAL AIRPORT.

WHEREAS, Richard E. Smith, Jr., a native of Tunica, Mississippi, has recently announced his retirement as Executive Director of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport; and

WHEREAS, his retirement marks the culmination of his career at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport where he served as executive director for twenty years, and propelled the Golden Triangle Regional Airport to the cutting edge as it is now nationally recognized as a model non-hub airport; and

WHEREAS, Smith's expertise and foresight were recognized nationwide through his appointment by Senator Trent Lott to the National Civil Aviation Review Commission, a commission charged with investigating alternative means of funding and efficiency for the nation's civil aviation programs, including the Federal Aviation Administration, and with ensuring the safety of this nation's airports; and

WHEREAS, one of Smith's major accomplishments was successfully leading the project to totally renovate the Golden Triangle Regional Airport terminal building which was first erected in 1971; and

WHEREAS, the terminal building was restructured from 16,000 to 31,000 square feet and was redesigned to more efficiently handle the needs of the Golden Triangle traveling public into the 21st Century and to provide a favorable first impression of the Golden Triangle area, which is so important to the industrial and economic development of the region; and

WHEREAS, Richard Smith, Jr., was able to negotiate the funding of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport terminal building renovation project utilizing Airport Improvement Program entitlement funds tied to a long-term Federal Aviation Administration Letter of Intent, the first time an FAA Letter of Intent was funded with entitlement funding; and

WHEREAS, Richard Smith, Jr., guided the Golden Triangle Regional Airport governing body through restructure in 1987 from a joint board to the current Golden Triangle Regional Airport Authority Board under the statutes of the State of Mississippi for more efficient operations of the airport; and

WHEREAS, through his management and leadership, the Golden Triangle Regional Airport became fiscally self-sufficient in 1987; and

WHEREAS, Richard Smith, Jr., led the way on such important issues as access to aircraft for the handicapped as the Golden Triangle Regional Airport was the first regional airport in the nation to implement the use of the handicapped lift device; and

WHEREAS, Richard Smith, Jr., is recognized by his peers as a leader in aviation associations such as the American Association of Airport Executives, the Southeastern Airport Managers Association/Southeastern Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives, and the Mississippi Airports Association; and

WHEREAS, Richard Smith, Jr., was awarded the first ever Southeastern Airport Managers Association/Southeastern Chapter of the AAAE Leadership Award, and has served as President of the Southeastern Airport Managers Association and the Mississippi Airports Association; and

WHEREAS, Richard Smith, Jr., served in the United States Air Force from September 1956 until August 1978, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel; and

WHEREAS, he flew a variety of fighter-type aircraft, including F-105D's in Southeast Asia out of Takli Air Force Base, Thailand, was shot down on his 33rd mission on October 25, 1967, over Hanoi, and was a prisoner of war for five and one-half years; and

WHEREAS, Richard Smith, Jr., received numerous military decorations, including two Silver Stars, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Legion of Merit, two Air Medals, two Purple Hearts, the POW Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Meritorious Service Medal and other military decorations; and

WHEREAS, he served as National President of the Air Force Association from 1994 to 1996 and Chairman of the Board from 1996 to 1998; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the exemplary service of its citizens:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Richard E. Smith, Jr., upon his retirement as Executive Director of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport, and wish him success in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Richard E. Smith, Jr., and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.