House Resolution 109

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF CHARLES L. MATHEWS TO THE MISSISSIPPI STATE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (MSMA) AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Mr. Charles L. Mathews was employed by the Mississippi State Medical Association (MSMA) for a total of 35 years, where he served 26 years as the association's executive director before his retirement in 1998, departed this earthly life on March 2, 2006, causing great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, a native Mississippian who was reared in Maryland, graduated from Louisiana State University, and undertook additional graduate studies in law and management at LSU, Syracuse University and Jackson School of Law, and honorably served his country from 1952-1955 with the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mathews joined the MSMA staff in 1960 and served as the association's first full-time lobbyist until 1969, when he left the association to join the staff of Governor John Bell Williams; and

WHEREAS, while serving on Governor Williams' staff, Mr. Mathews was instrumental in both drafting and securing legislative passage in 1969 of the law establishing Mississippi's Medicaid program, and was subsequently named deputy director of the state agency responsible for designing, organizing and implementing the Title XIX program throughout Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Governor Williams sought the assistance of Mr. Mathews and appointed him Commissioner of Mississippi's State Department of Welfare in 1971, where he led the agency for the remainder of Governor Williams' term; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mathews returned to the MSMA in 1972 as its executive director serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1998, where he established a vision that led to numerous innovative programs that serves Mississippi physicians and their patients, including the Mississippi Foundation for Medical Care; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mathews oversaw the 1985 conversion of MSMA to "unified" membership status with the American Medical Association and, at a time when other state medical societies were unable to accomplish this feat, increasing MSMA membership approximately 53 percent; and

WHEREAS, the MSMA initiative to raise $1.5 million to capitalize the Physicians Care Insurance Company, a fully licensed health care insurance company currently offering stock to members of the association, was spearheaded by Mr. Mathews to better utilize resources and establish a physician presence in the financing of healthcare; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Mathews' participation in the development of organized medicine by the counsel he has provided the MSMA delegation to the American Medical Association House of Delegates, his work with the American Association of Medical Society Executives, his effective guidance and oversight of advocacy work in Mississippi's legislative and regulatory arenas; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the excellence and the diligence in the life of such a dedicated individual as Mr. Mathews:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and service of Mr. Charles L. Mathews for his service to the Mississippi State Medical Association and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

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