Senate Resolution 31

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF JOHNNY FRANK CONWILL AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER 36 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE MISSISSIPPI EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION.

WHEREAS, Johnny Frank Conwill is retiring after 36 years of service with the Mississippi Employment Security Commission; and

WHEREAS, Johnny was Director of Unemployment Insurance from February 1998 through April 15, 2004. Under Johnny's leadership, the Unemployment Insurance Division paid approximately 5.8 million claims totaling in excess of $755 Million in Unemployment Insurance benefits, collected in excess of $562 Million in Unemployment Insurance taxes, leaving the State of Mississippi with an Unemployment Trust Fund in excess of $615 Million that is ranked among the best in the United States. With Johnny's leadership, Mississippi's Unemployment Insurance program has consistently ranked among the best performing programs in the nation, receiving the Improvement Award for the Atlanta Region during fiscal years 2001 and 2002; and

WHEREAS, Johnny has introduced the Unemployment Insurance Division to significant technological enhancements in document archiving and retrieval and claimant access for filing unemployment claims by telephone; and

WHEREAS, Johnny Frank Conwill was born in Amory, Mississippi, on November 13, 1943, attended Nettleton High School, Itawamba Junior College, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Mississippi. Johnny married Deborah Ward in 1974 and to that union was born a daughter, Kelly, November 1987. Johnny was a member of the Mississippi National Guard, taught school at Itawamba Agricultural High School and then began his career with the Mississippi Employment Security Commission in August 1967. Johnny has served in a number of capacities in the Employment Service and Unemployment Insurance Divisions of the Mississippi Employment Security Commission throughout his career; and

WHEREAS, Johnny has distinguished himself in service to the Unemployment Insurance and Employment Service Divisions of the Mississippi Employment Security Commission with unquestionable loyalty and dignity, leading and mentoring many; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the legacy of public service of this dedicated Mississippi state official:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the career and public service of Johnny Frank Conwill and congratulate him upon the occasion of his retirement after 36 years of service with the Mississippi Employment Security Commission, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Senate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Johnny Frank Conwill and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.