Senate Concurrent Resolution 511

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MR. LARRY MILLER UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR MISSISSIPPI EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION AND EXTENDING THE BEST WISHES OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, Larry Miller has served as Executive Director for Mississippi Educational Television since 1993; and

WHEREAS, in addition to a statewide public television network, Mississippi Educational Television also includes Public Radio in Mississippi (PRM) and the Radio Reading Service of Mississippi, which delivers a reading service to blind and print-handicapped persons through subcarrier receivers across the state; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi ETV has a tradition of excellence, and through Larry's leadership has continued to make good progress in maximizing the network as an invaluable resource for the state: from expanded local productions and development of the Interactive Video Network in schools across the state to a bevy of regional and national awards--including the only national "Emmy" awarded to a Mississippi station--his achievements have been many.

WHEREAS, Larry began his career in broadcasting in 1958 and has held a variety of positions in news and station management; he has served as Director of News and Public Affairs at the University of Texas-Austin Communications Center; General Manager of KOSU-FM at Oklahoma State University; and Station Manager of KOED-TV, Channel 11 in Tulsa; from 1985 to 1993, he served as Deputy Executive Director of South Dakota Public Broadcasting; and

WHEREAS, a native of Chadron, Nebraska, Mr. Miller holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Chadron State College and a Master of Science Degree in Journalism from Iowa State University at Ames; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Miller serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Satellite Educational Resources Consortium, the National Educational Telecommunications Association, the Mississippi Rural Development Council, the Mississippi Council for Education Technology, the Foundation for Public Broadcasting, the International Ballet Competition, and the Governor's Task Force for Classroom Technology; and

WHEREAS, a retired Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve, Mr. Miller's hobbies include genealogy, amateur radio and golf; he and his wife, Karen, have two children and two grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Larry's leadership has continued Mississippi ETV's tradition of excellence, and we are especially proud that his guidance has made Mississippi ETV a safe haven for children's television viewing, which is no small achievement in an era when our children are bombarded with a wide range of media choices; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we extend the thanks of the Legislature to Larry for his support of ETV and his consideration and assistance during his tenure:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Mr. Larry Miller upon the occasion of his retirement as Executive Director of Mississippi Educational Television and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature as he departs for new opportunities in public television with the Pennsylvania Public Television Network.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Larry Miller and his family, be forwarded to the Board of Trustees of Mississippi Educational Television, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.