MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Rogers

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MR. JIM MAHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, UPON HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, Mr. Jim Maher, Executive Director of the Mississippi Management Agency, also referred to as MEMA, will retire after 20 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Maher, born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was appointed Midshipman in 1947 and graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1951; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Maher was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and saw combat in Korea, Vietnam and served in other areas in addition to his posts and stations in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Maher retired from the Marine Corps in 1971 as Lieutenant Colonel with military decorations and awards including the Bronze Star with Combat "V" and the Meritorious Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Maher earned a master's degree in public administration and a master's degree in business administration from Mississippi College; and

WHEREAS, after serving on the staff since October 1972, Mr. Maher was appointed Executive Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency on February 16, 1980, by former Governor William Winter; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Maher is the longest serving state director in the nation and is the Dean of the National Emergency Management Association; and

WHEREAS, during his 20 years of service, Mr. Maher has seen the face of emergency management dramatically change from the civil defense program of the 1950's to the comprehensive program it is today; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure, Mr. Maher has represented Mississippi in a wide number of national and regional organizations including the National Emergency Management Association, the Central United States Earthquake Consortium, the Advisory Council for the National Institute of Urban Search and Rescue, the National Task Force on Emergency Response, the Mississippi Automated Resource Information System, the State Mapping Advisory Committee, the Marine Corps Association, the Retired Officers' Association and many more; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Maher has been lovingly supported in all his endeavors by his wife of 48 years, the former Elizabeth Brown, and their five children and two grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippians such as Mr. Jim Maher, whose long and distinguished career has been devoted to protecting the citizens of Mississippi and the nation from emergency situations:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Mr. Jim Maher for his outstanding service as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and congratulate him upon his retirement.

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