Senate Concurrent Resolution 595

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MR. JACK R. RHODES UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATIONS OF MISSISSIPPI AFTER 44 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FIELD.

WHEREAS, Mr. Jack R. Rhodes has rendered invaluable services to the association in its efforts to develop and improve the State of Mississippi's economy through the recruitment of industry, the procurement of rural development loans and grants, and the taking of numerous other actions relating to the promotion of economic development; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rhodes, a native of Winston County, Mississippi, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Rhodes, has retired from the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi as Vice President of Economic Development; and

WHEREAS, a resident of Gluckstadt, Mississippi, Mr. Rhodes grew up in the Beth Eden Community of Mississippi, and upon his graduation from Louisville High School attended Mississippi State University, receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry in 1958; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rhodes was immediately employed by the Mississippi Forestry Commission as a Management Forester and later as a District Forester with responsibilities of preparing timber resource studies for new and expanding forestry industries; and

WHEREAS, in 1966, he joined the staff of the Mississippi A&I Board, now the Department of Economic and Community Development, as Manager of the Agricultural Industries Division and later served as Associate Director and Secretary of the Mississippi Marketing Council; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rhodes has served as a member of the Mississippi Economic Development Council since 1967, the Southern Economic Development Council since 1970, and served as a special assistant to Governor Paul B. Johnson; and

WHEREAS, the United States Secretary of Commerce presented two citations to Mr. Rhodes for increasing U.S. trade overseas and later awarded him the President's "E" for Excellence Award in 1968 for work in promoting exports; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rhodes joined the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi in 1969 as Director of Economic Development and later rising to the position of Vice President of Economic Development; and

WHEREAS, as an active economic developer, he was one of the organizers and a board member of the National Rural Economic Developers Association and currently serves on the Operating Board of the Mississippi Resource Center and on the Public Advisory Committee of the Department of Environmental Quality; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rhodes was recognized for his achievements as recipient of the State of Mississippi's top economic development honor, the Harry A. Martin Outstanding Mississippi Economic Developer Award in 1996 and in 2001 received the Economic Developer of the Year Award, the highest honor given by the National Rural Economic Developers Association; and

WHEREAS, throughout his every endeavor, Mr. Rhodes has enjoyed the loving and faithful support of his wife, the former Marguerite Cumberland of Preston, Mississippi, and their one son, Scott; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature of the State of Mississippi to recognize and commend such outstanding Mississippians for enhancing the quality of life for others through their commitment and support of economic development, as well as providing a shining example of good citizenship:

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 praise Mr. Jack R. Rhodes for his years of exemplary service in the field of economic development and extend to him and his family our heartfelt wishes for many more years of good health, happiness and success in all future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Jack R. Rhodes and his family and be made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.