Senate Concurrent Resolution 579

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING OFFICER ROXY WALLACE, HOUSING UNIT ONE CONTROL OFFICER AT EAST MISSISSIPPI CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, FOR BEING SELECTED AS THE GEO NORTH AMERICA "EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR" FOR 2006.

WHEREAS, East Mississippi Correctional Facility (EMCF) is honored to have one of its own employees, Officer Roxy Wallace, awarded GEO Group, Inc. (North America) "Employee of the Year" for 2006; and

WHEREAS, Officer Wallace began her employment at EMCF on August 9, 1999. She knows her job and performs it with pride and confidence. She is viewed by her co-workers as an outstanding role model; and

WHEREAS, GEO Group, Inc., is under contract with the Mississippi Department of Corrections to manage and operate the East Mississippi Correctional Facility, which houses up to 875 medium security and mental health adult male inmates, an increase of 125 inmates from the previous contract year; and

WHEREAS, Roxy Wallace serves as the Housing Unit One Control Officer at the East Mississippi Facility. Since being employed at the facility from 1999 to the present, Officer Wallace's attendance has been perfect. As the Unit One Control Officer she has a high degree of responsibility as she controls all doors to the Maximum Security Unit. Officer Wallace has assisted the administration in developing the Housing Unit One Control Post. Utilizing her input, the facility has streamlined the operations of this post. She was instrumental in designing the camera layout as well as the video monitoring equipment. She also assisted in developing the unit movement and activity schedule; and

WHEREAS, Officer Wallace has always been willing to take on any and all tasks presented to her by the supervisors. She has served as Perimeter Officer, Transport Officer and Picket Officer. She is always fair, firm and consistent with the inmates as well as the staff. When performing her daily security duties, she enforces the policies and procedures. Officer Wallace goes above and beyond to perform her duties effectively and efficiently; and

WHEREAS, she was selected Officer of the Month in October 2005 for outstanding leadership; and

WHEREAS, Hurricane Katrina was a traumatic experience for everyone; however, after completing more than 24 hours at EMCF, Officer Wallace worked for more than 48 hours at a local nursing home helping the elderly evacuees from Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize this accomplishment by a professional, dedicated employee who has inspired inmates and employees alike and has set high standards for other Mississippians to follow:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Officer Roxy Wallace, Housing Unit One Supervisor at East Mississippi Correctional Facility, for being selected as the GEO Group, Inc. (North America) "Employee of the Year" for 2006, and extend to her and her family the best wishes of the Legislature in her future endeavors at EMCF.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Officer Roxy Wallace, be forwarded to John Hurley, Sr., Vice President of GEO Group, Inc., and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.