MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Farris, King, Dawkins, Carlton

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. EDDIE M. LEWIS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI FOR BEING NAMED THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE INTERNATIONAL TRADE EDUCATORS.

WHEREAS, Dr. Eddie M. Lewis has been recognized by the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE) as the "International Trade Educator of the Year 2000"; and

WHEREAS, NASBITE presents the International Trade Educator of the Year award to an individual who demonstrates innovation and quality in international trade curriculum development, research, program development, and/or advocacy of international business issues; and

WHEREAS, this year's awardee is Dr. Eddie M. Lewis, who is currently Director of the International Business center at the University of Southern Mississippi. In addition, she is a Kaetsu Distinguished Professor of International Business, Official Liaison for the agreement between USM's College of Business Administration and Kaetsu Women's College, and serves as a consultant for Hinds Community College's International Business Support Project; and

WHEREAS, it has been said that Dr. Lewis single-handedly created a level of international awareness among Mississippi's institutions of higher learning by initiating the first university sponsored program that offered substantive educational training for Mississippi's international business community through the creation and development of the International Business Network Project during the years of 1991-1996; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis has created through her efforts a level of enhanced awareness among all of Mississippi's institutions of higher learning that strive to match the example of her leadership and efforts; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lewis' greatest legacy is the many students she has inspired to learn about international culture, language and awareness of their place and purpose from a global perspective; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the National Association of State International Trade Educators (NASBITE) in their recognition of Dr. Lewis who has brought honor and served as a tireless goodwill ambassador for the institutions of higher learning and for 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. Eddie Lewis, Director of the International Business Center at the University of Southern Mississippi, for being named the International Trade Educator of the Year by the national Association of State International Trade Educators (NASBITE) and for her noted and outstanding professional accomplishments in the field of international education, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature on this auspicious occasion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Lewis and her family, and to the President of the University of Southern Mississippi, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.