House Concurrent Resolution 74

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING UNITED STATES SENATOR THAD COCHRAN UPON HIS RECENT APPOINTMENT AS CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.

WHEREAS, Mississippi's Senior Senator, Senator Thad Cochran, reached the height of his political career on January 5, 2005, when he was unanimously voted by all 55 of his GOP colleagues as Chairman of the United States Senate Appropriations Committee; and

WHEREAS, as the new Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Cochran, a native of Pontotoc, who holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi and a law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law, will head the effort to divide more than $600 billion every year among dozens of agencies and thousands of programs and projects; and

WHEREAS, invested with a renewed responsibility, Senator Cochran, now 67, has served the citizens of Mississippi in Washington, D.C., since 1972 when he was first elected to the United States House of Representatives, an office he held for six years before seeking and winning the election for a seat in the United States Senate in 1979; and

WHEREAS, this appointment makes Senator Cochran the first Mississippian to head the appropriations panel since the late Senator John C. Stennis held the position in the 1980s; and

WHEREAS, not only does Senator Cochran's new position place him in the national limelight by holding the keys to the treasury, but also seeks to foster promising benefits for the State of Mississippi's economic growth and development; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend our state's national leaders, such as Senator Cochran, whose pleasant demeanor and leadership ability has been of invaluable service to the citizens of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the political success and accomplishments of Senator Thad Cochran upon his recent appointment as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and extend our warmest appreciation and support for his continued success as he demonstrates his keen ability to lead his colleagues and serve the people of Mississippi and the United States.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Senator Thad Cochran and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.