MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Minor, Johnson (19th), White (29th), Furniss, Smith, Gordon, Hewes, Gollott, King, Chaney, Little

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF KEN WARREN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, Mr. Ken Warren, a native of Shiloh Community in Rankin County, has announced his retirement as Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation on June 30, 2000, culminating a 37-year career with the department; and

WHEREAS, he was employed by MDOT in 1963, and his impressive work history is as follows: EIT 1963-1969, Project Engineer 1969-1979, Resident Engineer 1979-1980, headquartered in Vicksburg, MS, Area Construction Engineer 1980-1987, headquartered in Jackson, MS, appointed State Construction Engineer 1987, appointed Assistant Chief Engineer-Operations 1992, appointed Chief Engineer 1996, appointed Executive Director 1998; and

WHEREAS, his professional activities are a matter of record: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) - subcommittee on construction 1987-1992, Chairman - Pavement and Structures Task Force, Chairman - Guide Construction Specifications Committee; Standing Committees on Highways, Strategic Plan Steering Committee; Task Force on Federal Highway Administration (FHWA Strategic Plan); subcommittee on design (subcommittee responsible for developing and publishing National Transportation Design Criteria), current chairman; Projects and Planning Processes Improvements (PPPI) Task Force; Transportation Research Board (TRB), Long Term Pavement Performance Committee (LTPP 1997-2000); Latin American Trade and Transportation Study, current chairman; and

WHEREAS, he was educated at the Cross Roads High School in Rankin County, Mississippi (1958); received his BSCE (1963) from Mississippi State University; participated in the Co-operative Education Program at Mississippi State University, beginning Summer 1958 doing six work periods with the MDOT; and became a registered Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, he is a native of the Shiloh Community, Rankin County, Mississippi; is married to the former Shirley Alexander of Vardaman, Mississippi; they have two children and four grandchildren; is Music Director of Porter's Chapel United Methodist Church in Vicksburg, Mississippi; and is a member of Mississippi Methodist Cursillo; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the long public service of this dedicated engineer, whose expertise has enhanced the highway system of Mississippi and brought great credibility and honor to his department and to his state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the career and public service of Mr. Ken Warren, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, upon the occasion of his retirement after a 37-year career as a professional engineer, and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Ken Warren and his family and be made available to the Mississippi Transportation Commission and the Capitol Press Corps.