MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Michel, Gordon, Chaney, Burton, Kirby, Nunnelee, Clarke, Jackson (15th), Frazier, Jordan, King, Butler, Albritton, Jackson (11th), Flowers, Morgan, Moffatt, Simmons, Chamberlin, Lee (47th), Walley, Wilemon, Dearing, Hyde-Smith
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATOR BILLY HEWES UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS INSTALLATION AS THE 2004 NATIONAL CHAIRMAN FOR THE AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE COUNCIL (ALEC).
WHEREAS, in December, 2003, two thousand four hundred (2,400) members of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) welcomed and congratulated Mississippi State Senator William G. "Billy" Hewes III on his installation as the 2004 ALEC National Chairman; and
WHEREAS, ALEC is the nation's largest nonpartisan, individual membership organization of state legislators, and is dedicated to developing model policies based on the Jeffersonian principles of free markets, limited government, federalism and individual liberty. As 2004 ALEC National Chairman, Senator Hewes will head the 23-member Board of Directors and will be responsible for setting the policies and priorities for the 2,400-member association of state legislators. He will also serve on the Legislative Leaders Health Care Forum and the Telecommunications Committee; and
WHEREAS, "Senator Hewes is a proven leader in his home State of Mississippi, and he will serve ALEC well as National Chairman," said outgoing 2003 National Chairman Louisiana Representative Donald Ray Kennard; and
WHEREAS, as a Mississippi State Senator, Hewes is the new Chairman of the Highways and Transportation Committee and serves on Ports and Marine Resources, Finance, Insurance, Business and Financial Institutions, Economic Development and Tourism and Parks, Environmental Protection, Conservation and Water Resources, Municipalities, Public Health and Welfare and Public Utilities committees. Senator Hewes was appointed by Lt. Governor Amy Tuck to the Standing Joint Congressional Redistricting Committee and the Standing Joint Legislative Committee on Reapportionment; and
WHEREAS, as an insurance and real estate agent, Senator Hewes is past President of the Gulfport Jaycees, the Gulf Coast Association of Life Underwriters and the University of Southern Mississippi Harrison County Alumni Association. Active in his community, Hewes is a member of the Gulfport Rotary Club, the Gulf Coast Board of Realtors and the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. He is a delegate of the American Council of Young Political Leaders and a Council of State Governments Henry Toll Fellow. Presently serving as Chairman of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, Hewes has been recognized as the Conservation Legislator of the Year by Mississippi Wildlife Federation and the Gulf Coast Conservation Association; and
WHEREAS, Senator Hewes was officially installed at the ALEC States and Nation Policy Summit in Phoenix, Arizona, during the week of December 17, 2003. Held annually in December, the States and Nation Policy Summit offers state legislators the opportunity to interact with some of America's most influential public and private sector leaders to discuss several of the most critical issues facing the nation and states; and
WHEREAS, ALEC's far-reaching national network of state legislators that crosses geographic and political boundaries, and affects all levels of government, is without equal. No other organization in America today can claim as many valuable assets - both people and ideas - that have influence on as many key decision-making centers. Well over 100 ALEC members hold senior leadership positions in their state legislatures, while hundreds more hold important committee leadership positions. Twelve sitting governors are alumni of ALEC, and more than 80 members of Congress are former ALEC members; and
WHEREAS, Senator Hewes and wife, Paula, are the proud parents of four children, Katie, Sarah, Gardner and Samuel; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the position gained by one of our own Mississippi legislators, whose commitment to this respected national association brings honor to his community and to the State of Mississippi:
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 congratulate Mississippi State Senator Billy Hewes upon the occasion of his installation as the 2004 National Chairman for the American Legislative Exchange Council, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature as he accepts the challenges of the upcoming year.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Senator Billy Hewes, forwarded to ALEC and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.