MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2006 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Compretta, Guice, Bentz, Broomfield, Dedeaux, Formby, Fredericks, Frierson, Hamilton (109th), Ishee, Janus, Parker, Patterson, Peranich, Read, Simpson, Upshaw, Walley, Wells-Smith, Zuber
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATIONS OF MISSISSIPPI FOR THEIR COMMITMENT, DILIGENCE AND FOR A JOB WELL DONE IN RESTORING POWER TO THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI FOLLOWING HURRICANE KATRINA.
WHEREAS, in the aftermath of Katrina's looming fury and widespread devastation, countless thousands of Mississippi residents from the southernmost to the northernmost reaches of the state were literally left in the dark; and
WHEREAS, with more than 1.6 million customers depending on 87,811 miles of electric distribution lines, Mississippi's electric power associations suffered a severe blow as a result of Katrina, leaving more than 704,537 Mississippians without power, which accounts for 71% of its customer base; and
WHEREAS, but as resilient and determined as their many loyal customers were to resume the routine activities of normal everyday living, EPAs across the state sprung into action to restore power to their customers; and
WHEREAS, more than 10,000 emergency work crews from Mississippi and 21 states assisted in electric service restoration to all 25 EPA districts in the state with more than 50,000 utility poles totally destroyed; and
WHEREAS, sleeping in school gymnasiums, co-op offices, a warehouse, church buildings and a huge "tent city" erected for them on the coast, these individuals worked around the clock, day and night, to get services restored; and
WHEREAS, some employees, being victims of the extensive outage themselves, left their families in order to be of assistance to their fellow Mississippians, exhibiting the values and character of southern hospitality in action; and
WHEREAS, in addition to our own native sons and daughters, we are gratefully appreciative to the cooperative support lent to us by our sister states in the restoration efforts, including: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia; and
WHEREAS, it is because of the unique composition of this group of elite individuals that Mississippi is as diverse and enticingly welcoming as any other provocative state in the nation, truly a diamond in the rough; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the men, women and businesses who gave of their time, service and compassion to help their fellowman:
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 Electric Power Associations of Mississippi and their cooperative colleagues for their commitment, diligence and for a job well done in restoring power to the citizens of the State of Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to each electric power association in the state and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.