House Resolution 1

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING LYDIA QUARLES UPON BEING NAMED AS THE 2006 RECIPIENT OF THE MARY C. LAWTON AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING GOVERNMENT SERVICE.

WHEREAS, Lydia Quarles has been named the 2006 recipient of the Mary C. Lawton Award for Outstanding Government Service, becoming the first Mississippian to receive the prestigious honor; and

WHEREAS, a 27-year veteran attorney, Lydia is a Commissioner of the Workers' Compensation Commission, serving as the attorney appointee after being appointed by the Governor in 2001; and

WHEREAS, the award presented annually by the American Bar Association's Section of Administrative and Regulatory Practice, seeks to honor one distinguished individual for their contributions to the development, implementation or improvement of administrative law and regulatory practice that reflects sustained excellence in performance; and

WHEREAS, characteristics sought in and possessed by the award panel are paramount within Mrs. Quarles, who, prior to being appointed as a Commissioner, served the Workers' Compensation Commission as an Administrative Judge for eight years, and engaged in private practice prior to 1993; and

WHEREAS, equipped with a Juris Doctorate from Cumberland School of Law, a master of arts and a bachelor of arts from Mississippi University for Women and credit toward a Ph.D at Mississippi State University, she has earned certification as a "Workers Compensation Professional" from Michigan State University's School of Labor and Industrial Relations; and

WHEREAS, active in workers' compensation related organizations, Quarles' leadership, along with the support of the Mississippi Bar Association enabled the Bar Foundation and the Workers' Compensation Section to jointly sponsor the Kid's Chance of Mississippi Scholarship, a scholarship program for children of permanently disabled or deceased Mississippi workers; and

WHEREAS, Chair of the Adjudication Committee of the Southern Association of Workers' Compensation Administrators and a Regent of the Workers' Compensation College of the International Association of Industrial Accidents Boards and Commissions, Quarles was the 2003 recipient of the Mississippi Bar's Distinguished Service Award, named one of Mississippi's Top 12 Leading Business Women for 2004 by the Mississippi Business Journal, serves as a fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation, a member of the Mississippi University for Women Alumni Board and a member of the Foundation Board for the Mississippi School for Math and Science; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence in such remarkable individuals as Mrs. Quarles, whose service and dedication has bestowed great recognition upon her and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Lydia Quarles upon being named the 2006 recipient of the Mary C. Lawton Award for Outstanding Government Service and making Mississippi history in the process, and we express our most fervent wish for her continued success in all future endeavors.

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