MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Williamson, Thomas, Walls, Jordan, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Frazier, Turner, Harden, Butler, Simmons
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF MR. JOHN H. LEE, PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF MISSISSIPPI PRODUCTS, INC., AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE SENATE.
WHEREAS, Mr. John H. Lee, President and Founder of Mississippi Products, Inc., has passed away; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lee was a graduate of Alcorn State University, with a degree in Industrial Management, and earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Mississippi College. Mr. Lee had an auspicious career in manufacturing and human resources. His employment history started at Ford Motor Company as a member of the Manufacturing Management Team. He also served a fourteen-year tenure as a Human Resources Manager at Siemens Entergy and Automation, and as Corporate Human Resources Manager and Plant Manager at Multicraft Enterprises; and
WHEREAS, in May 1988, Mr. Lee helped establish Craft-Co, a minority owned venture that manufactures electrical assemblies for the automotive industry. Mr. Lee served as Craft-Co's President and General Manager until starting his own company, Mississippi Products, Inc. (MPI); and
WHEREAS, in November 1992, Mississippi Products, Inc., began operation in Pearl, Mississippi, with one employee, John H. Lee. Approximately one year later, MPI moved to Jackson, Mississippi, and located in the Jackson Enterprise Center as an incubator tenant. In 1999, the company moved to its own building, increasing office and warehouse space from 4,000 square feet to more than 14,000 square feet. In 2002, Mississippi Products, Inc., soared to greater heights by operating an additional location in Gulfport, Mississippi. MPI currently employs 11 full-time employees with annual sales of approximately $3 Million. Mississippi Products, Inc., is a full service distributor of medical, surgical and janitorial supplies, laboratory equipment, safety products and industrial products. MPI serves a diversified group of customers across the Southeastern United States; and
WHEREAS, Mr. John H. Lee served in many capacities within the Greater Metropolitan area of Jackson, Mississippi: Chairman of the Mississippi Minority Business Alliance; Member of the Jackson, Mississippi, Rotary Club; Chairman of the Small Minority-Owned Business Council Metro Jackson, Mississippi, Chamber of Commerce; Board member of the Andrew Jackson Council Boy Scouts, U.S.A.; and
WHEREAS, his honors and awards are well documented: 2002 U.S. Small Business Administration Minority Small Business Person of the Year; 2000 Mississippi Minority Business Alliance Pioneer Award; 1998 Mississippi Fast 40 Fastest Growing Private Companies; 1997 Atlanta Regional Minority Supplier Distributor Firm of the Year; 1997 Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Small Business. In addition, Mr. Lee was nominated for the following awards: 2003 Inner City 100 Award presented by Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr., City of Jackson, Mississippi; 2002 Ernst & Young, Entrepreneur of the Year Award, New Orleans, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lee's dedicated public service was an inspiration to the citizens of his community and the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of public service of Mr. John H. Lee, President and Founder of Mississippi Products, Inc., and extend to his surviving family the sympathy of the Senate on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Mr. John Lee and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.