House Resolution 59

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DEDICATED SERVICE OF LONNIE THIGPEN, SR., AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, Lonnie Thigpen, Sr., will retire as District Conservationist for Bay Springs Field Office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the United States Department of Agriculture after approximately 35 years of committed and diligent service; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Thigpen began working with NRCS in May 1970 as a student trainee in the Canton Field Office as a summer job before returning to college, and worked in the Philadelphia Field Office in the summer of 1971, before returning to complete college; and

WHEREAS, in January 1972, Mr. Thigpen commenced full-time employment with NRCS in the Oxford Field Office as Soil Conservationist upon receiving his bachelor of science degree from Alcorn State University in agriculture education; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Thigpen remained in Oxford until promoted to serve as District Conservationist in Leakesville in 1977, where he remained until 1980, was then transferred to Waynesboro and subsequently to Bay Springs in 1987, where he remains today; and

WHEREAS, during his illustrious career with NRCS, he has served as acting District Conservationist in Lucedale, Wiggins, Hattiesburg, Laurel, Raleigh, Forest, Decatur, Quitman and Meridian, and as acting Area Conservationist in Hattiesburg; and

WHEREAS, involved in every facet of the agency's operation, he has served two terms as Chairman of the NRCS's State EEO/Civil Rights Committee, served on the State Committee for Water Quality Strategic Planning, special task force member for resolving civil disputes with NRCS, and currently serves on the State Forest Stewardship Committee, local Wildlife Seminar, Tree Planting Week, Soil Stewardship Week, No-Till Demonstration and Forestry Seminar/Field Day Committees; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Thigpen spends his leisure time operating a cattle and timber farm, in addition to serving on multiple boards of directors, including the Jasper County Cattlemen's Association, Jasper County Forestry Association, Southern Pine Electric Power Association, Jasper County Strategic Planning, Multi-County Community Services, Jasper County Farm Bureau and performing Christian missionary work; and

WHEREAS, a devoted husband, Mr. Thigpen has been supported in all his undertakings and endeavors by his wife, Doris Houston Thigpen; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend such outstanding individuals as Lonnie Thigpen, whose services to the State of Mississippi were monumental:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Lonnie Thigpen, Sr., upon his retirement after approximately 35 years of dedicated and exemplary service to the State of Mississippi, and we extend to him our heartiest wishes for success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Lonnie Thigpen, Sr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.