House Concurrent Resolution 126

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING SPEAKER TIM FORD UPON RECEIVING THE WILLIAM M. BULGER EXCELLENCE IN STATE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP AWARD.

WHEREAS, Mississippi Speaker of the House Tim Ford was chosen as the first Speaker to receive the William M. Bulger Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award, which was presented at the 2001 National Conference of State Legislatures Annual Meeting; and

WHEREAS, the award honors William M. Bulger, who served 35 years as a State Legislator in Massachusetts, and it is given annually to a leader who has made significant contributions to the performance, strengthening and operation of his or her legislative institution; and

WHEREAS, the prestigious award is given jointly by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, the Council of State Governments and the National Conference of State Legislatures; and

WHEREAS, now in his fourth term as Speaker of the House, Speaker Ford has the second longest tenure of any speaker serving in the country; and

WHEREAS, his love and respect for the institution is evidenced by the diligent and fair manner in which he presides over the House, using his congenial nature and gentle sense of humor to diffuse tense moments during debate; and

WHEREAS, he demonstrated his respect for the institution in his courageous and successful fight against legislative term limits on two occasions during his tenure as Speaker; and

WHEREAS, as part of the award, Speaker Ford received a $10,000 donation to a charity of his choice, which was donated to the Blair Batson Children's Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by one of our state's top leaders:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Speaker Tim Ford upon receiving the 2001 William M. Bulger Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award and express our appreciation for his many contributions to the State of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Speaker Tim Ford and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.