MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2002 3rd Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Gordon, Huggins, Little, King, Hyde-Smith, Ross, Dearing, Thames, Harvey, Carmichael, Walls, Mettetal, Frazier, Williamson, Carlton, Dawkins, Nunnelee, Smith, Furniss, Jordan, Jackson, Michel, Moffatt, Robertson, Simmons, Burton
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF DR. F.E. (ED) THOMPSON, JR., STATE HEALTH OFFICER FOR THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS SELECTION AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR THE FEDERAL CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL.
WHEREAS, long-time Executive Director of the State Department of Health, Dr. F.E. (Ed) Thompson, Jr., M.D., M.P.H., has been selected as the Deputy Director for Public Health Programs and Services, of the federal Center for Disease Control (CDC) and ATSDR; and
WHEREAS, F.E. Thompson, Jr., M.D., has been the State Health Officer of Mississippi since 1993. He holds an M.D. degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and an M.P.H. degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. He is board certified in Preventive Medicine, and is a Clinical Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine; and
WHEREAS, in 1980, Dr. Thompson began his career in public health in the Mississippi State Department of Health, first as a Physician and then as Deputy Chief for Disease Control from 1982-1985. From 1983-1993, Dr. Thompson was the State Epidemiologist, and from 1985-1993, he was the Chief of the Bureau of Preventive Health Services for the Mississippi State Department of Health; and
WHEREAS, prior to becoming Mississippi's State Health Officer, he served as Mississippi's State Epidemiologist for ten years. He is a past President of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). He currently serves on ASTHO's Infectious Disease Policy Committee and the ASTHO Anti-Terrorism Preparedness Task Force; and
WHEREAS, from 1988-1993, Dr. Thompson was a member of the Executive Committee for the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), and he was President of CSTE from 1992-1993. From 1998-2001, he was a member of the Executive Committee for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), and he was President of ASTHO from 1998-1999. In addition, Dr. Thompson is currently a member of CDC's Advisory Committee to the Director and serves on several ASTHO committees, including the Infectious Disease Policy Committee and the Anti-Terrorism Preparedness Task Force; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Thompson has co-authored 11 publications in nationally recognized journals, on topics such as immunization requirements, influenza, HIV/AIDS and tobacco. Dr. Thompson also provided testimony to Congress on numerous occasions representing the American Public Health Association, the Mississippi Department of Health, ASTHO and various other organizations; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Thompson has presented excellent and progressive recommendations for public health program initiatives and funding to the Legislature, has been a respected spokesman for public health in the Legislature, and his expertise will be missed; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the long public health service of this health professional who has brought honor to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the legacy of public service of Dr. F.E. (Ed) Thompson, Jr., Mississippi State Health Officer, upon the occasion of his selection as Deputy Director for the federal Center for Disease Control (CDC) and ATSDR, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Senate for future success in their endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Thompson, his wife, Marsha, and daughter, be forwarded to the State Board of Health, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.