House Concurrent Resolution 61

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. CONNIE MCCAA ON BEING NAMED ONE OF AMERICA'S "BEST DOCTORS."

WHEREAS, Dr. Connie McCaa was one of the first physicians in the nation to perform Lasik laser eye surgery; and

WHEREAS, she is a Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and is well-known for performing cornea transplants; and

WHEREAS, a native of Holmes County, Mississippi, and a graduate of West High School, Dr. McCaa's father and mother served as sheriff and tax collector of Holmes County in the late 1950s and early 1960s with her father holding the job first and her mother succeeding him; and

WHEREAS, an avid sailor and grandmother of thirteen, the doctor's interest in the medical field developed when she was a Mississippi College student grading papers for Dr. Arthur Wood, Chairman of Mississippi College's Chemistry Department; and

WHEREAS, after her interest in the medical field peaked, she went on to the University Medical Center (UMC), where she worked as a lab technician and later earned both a doctorate in biochemistry and a medical degree; and

WHEREAS, the "good" doctor doesn't limit her excellent medical skills to her patients, she lends her services to Hurricane Katrina victims and spends countless hours and weeks helping victims with eye problems; and

WHEREAS, she takes her skills on mission trips to southern Mexico to help the blind, having even operated on patients on dining room tables; and

WHEREAS, Dr. McCaa constantly promotes the importance of getting annual eye examinations; and

WHEREAS, in August 1999, Dr. McCaa helped two recipients gain sight by using the posthumous donation of the corneas of writer, Willie Morris; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend outstanding Mississippians such as Dr. Connie McCaa, whose life has been dedicated to the aid and assistance of visual restoration and repair of citizens throughout the state, region and nation:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Dr. Connie McCaa on being named one of America's "Best Doctors."

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