MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2002 1st Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Little, Chaney, Nunnelee, Gordon, Harden, Kirby, Thames, Harvey, Scoper, Dickerson, Jackson, Walls, Dearing, Farris, Browning, King, Furniss, Tollison, Turner, Carmichael, Smith, Jordan, Williamson, Dawkins, Chamberlin, Minor, Carlton, Robertson, Hyde-Smith, Hewes, Burton, Hamilton, Stogner, Mettetal, Moffatt, Simmons

Senate Resolution 2

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. RICHARD L. THOMPSON FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE CHILDREN OF MISSISSIPPI UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS DEPARTURE AFTER MANY YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE AS STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION.

     WHEREAS, on June 20, 2002, Dr. Richard L. Thompson announced his resignation as State Superintendent of Education in Mississippi after four years of outstanding leadership; and

     WHEREAS, he is completing his second tenure of dedicated service as Mississippi’s State Superintendent of Education; and

     WHEREAS, a native of Warren County, North Carolina, he received his Doctor of Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, his Master of Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, his Bachelor of Arts from Elon College, and his Associate of Arts from Chowan College; and

     WHEREAS, he served as Deputy State Superintendent of Public Schools for North Carolina and as the Director of the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching; and

     WHEREAS, he served as Superintendent of the Tupelo Public School District from 1987-1990; and

     WHEREAS, he served on numerous boards and commissions, including the Council of Chief State School Officers’ Service Advisory Committee, the Southeastern Regional Vision for Education, the Governor’s Commission on Workforce Excellence, the Mississippi Economic Council, and Mississippi Authority for Educational Television; and

     WHEREAS, he was awarded the Order of Long Leaf Pine by North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, which is the highest honor bestowed upon a citizen of the state; and

     WHEREAS, he was awarded the Mississippi Association of Educators’ and the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents’ Friend of Education Award; and

     WHEREAS, he received a Phi Delta Kappa award from the northeast Mississippi chapter of Phi Delta Kappa; and

     WHEREAS, he participated in the historic activities surrounding the signing of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001; and

     WHEREAS, his instrumental leadership has resulted in a strong assessment and accountability model, which was ranked sixth in the nation by The Princeton Review as one of the most comprehensive and consistent accountability systems; and

     WHEREAS, his uncompromising commitment to the children of Mississippi has resulted in significant advancements in public education; and

     WHEREAS, he is married to the former Peggy Hopkins and is father to Tara Elizabeth Thompson and Whitney Dianne Thompson; and

     WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the service of this state education leader who has brought honor to public education, his profession and to the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF

MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Dr. Richard L. Thompson, State Superintendent of Education, for his many years of service to the State of Mississippi, on the occasion of his departure, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Senate in his future endeavors.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Richard L. Thompson and be forwarded to the State Board of Education, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.