MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Hamilton, Gordon, Frazier

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. FRANK M. DAVIS UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY AFTER A 37-YEAR CAREER AS A RESEARCH ENTOMOLOGIST.

WHEREAS, Dr. Frank M. Davis, a native of Greenwood, Mississippi, is retiring from the United States Department of Agriculture/Crop Science Research Laboratory where he also served as Professor of Entomology at Mississippi State University after a 37-year career in the field of research entomology; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Davis began as an insect cotton inspector in the Mississippi Delta in 1958, became a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Entomology, Mississippi State University, from 1961-1963, advanced to Agricultural Research Tech in the ARS Corn Insects Research Laboratory from 1963-1964, advanced to Research Entomologist GS-11 in the Corn Insects Research Laboratory from 1965-1968, advanced to Research Entomologist GS-12 in the Plant Science Research Laboratory from 1968-1974, advanced to Research Entomologist GS-13 in the Crop Science Research Laboratory from 1974-1987, and since 1987 has served as Research Entomologist GM-14 in the Crop Science Research Laboratory ARS/USDA at Mississippi State University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Davis has the following areas of Entomological specialization: host plant resistance, insect-plant interactions, insect rearing, insect biology and ecology, lepidopterous sex pheromones, and crop protection by utilization of integrated pest management principles; and

WHEREAS, he is presently or has been involved in the following activities in professional and honorary societies: Entomological Society of America, Southeastern Branch of Entomological Society of America, Mississippi Entomological Association, South Carolina Entomological Society, Southwest Entomologist Society, Southern Corn Improvement Conference, Interregional Corn Conference, Plant Resistance Workshop, Gamma Sigma Delta, Phi Kappa Phi; and at Mississippi State University has or has been involved in the following activities: Full Member of Graduate Faculty, Professor of Entomology, Search Committee for Forest Entomologist, Program Committee for Summer Institute on Biological Control of Plant Insects and Diseases, Committee to Develop Department of Entomology Graduate Program, Host Plant Resistance Program; and he has taught some entomology courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, and can boast of a long list of highly qualified and distinguished graduate students who he has tutored; and his publications and major research accomplishments are a matter of record; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Davis also has committed himself to his church and community, serving as elder, Sunday school teacher and softball coach at Trinity Presbyterian Church, serving on his homeowners' association, serving on the Starkville Planning committee, serving as Co-president of the Starkville High School PTA, and serving as Vice President of the Starkville Breakfast Exchange Club; and

WHEREAS, Frank is married and has two sons and one daughter, and it is with great pride that we recognize the long and dedicated educational and community service of this citizen who has brought honor to Mississippi State University, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. Frank M. Davis on the occasion of his retirement from the United States Department of Agriculture and Mississippi State University after a 37-year career in research entomology, and we wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Frank Davis and his family, be forwarded to the President of Mississippi State University and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.