MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 3rd Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Chaney, Carmichael, Wilemon, Browning, Butler, Clarke, Dearing, Frazier, Harvey, Jackson (11th), King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Little, Mettetal, Posey, Thames, Thomas, Walls, White, Williamson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. HENRY L. JOHNSON, STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION, FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE IN LEADING MISSISSIPPI'S SCHOOLS AND UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry L. Johnson has devoted over 30 years to public education, as a teacher, principal, middle school director, assistant superintendent, policy development advisor, assistant state superintendent, associate state superintendent, and, for the last three years, as State Superintendent of Education for Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry L. Johnson has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Mississippi Department of Education, has provided overall leadership for all the school districts across the state, has advised the Mississippi Board of Education, the Governor and the Legislature on the needs for elementary and secondary education institutions; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry L. Johnson has identified solutions to departmental needs and problems, has implemented these solutions and plans, has coordinated future development of the education system of Mississippi, and has worked extensively with various stakeholder groups that have a major responsibility for, or involvement in, the educational process; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry L. Johnson has served as Executive Secretary of the Mississippi Board of Education, assisting the board in establishing priorities that are in the best interest of Mississippi education and keeping the board informed of pertinent educational news, events and issues, advising the board of the salient negative and positive aspects of each issue during its deliberations on educational policy decisions, and acting as the catalyst necessary to enable the board to recognize and make decisions on key policy matters; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry L. Johnson has furthered the advancement of education by serving on numerous state, regional and national boards, including the Southern Region Education Board of Directors, the Southeast Region Vision for Education, Education Commission of the States, the National Assessment Governing Board, to which he was appointed by former U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige; and the United States National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, to which he was appointed by former Secretary of State Colin Powell; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Henry L. Johnson has been nominated by President George W. Bush and U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings as Assisting U.S. Secretary of Education for Elementary and Secondary Education; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the contributions that Dr. Henry L. Johnson has made to education in Mississippi and the even greater influence he will have on the educational experience of all schoolchildren across the nation:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Dr. Henry L. Johnson, State Superintendent of Education for Mississippi, for his service, dedication and commitment to public education in Mississippi, and extend to him congratulations and best wishes upon his nomination to the United States Department of Education.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Johnson, forwarded to the Mississippi State Board of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.