House Concurrent Resolution 99

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING SUBRAMANIAN SWAMINATHAN, ON HIS MERITED AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO PEOPLE IN HAITI AND CHILE AFTER THE EARTHQUAKES AND TO DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY.

WHEREAS, Subramanian Swaminathan, an instructor at Delta State University, gave considerable time to lend a hand to others in need in the countries of Haiti and Chile after the devastating earthquakes there, and it is with immense appreciation that we recognize his dedication and devotion to others all over the world; and

WHEREAS, as a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) provider, Mr. Swaminathan volunteers his knowledge for mapping support during adverse weather, after-disaster assistance and search and rescue operations; and

WHEREAS, feeling the call to duty, Mr. Swaminathan has served in emergency response GIS service roles in several far away locations: the Chile earthquake in February and March 2010; the Haiti earthquake in January 2010; and the American Samoa tsunami recovery in October 2009; and

WHEREAS, an esteemed resident of Mississippi, Mr. Swaminathan has served the Magnolia State in several roles: volunteering at the Mississippi State Emergency Operations Center in Jackson, Mississippi, during Hurricane Gustav in 2008, providing GIS mapping support for Hurricane Ike and Tropical Storm Faye during the 2008 hurricane season, and volunteering at the Bolivar County Emergency Operations Center at Cleveland, Mississippi, in 2007-2008; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Swaminathan's approach to the practice of GIS has been to provide knowledge and judgment while giving guidance to those on the ground as quickly as possible; and

WHEREAS, representing the best of America's citizens, Mr. Swaminathan has given many years of dedicated service to the GIS community; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Swaminathan serves as an instructor for courses in Geographic Information Systems, Cartography and Applied Geospatial Technologies at Delta State University and he organizes technical GIS workshops for geospatial training and promotional talks/exhibits on GIS for students and the Mississippi public; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Swaminathan's responsibilities include training and managing a team of staff and student GIS technicians during implementation of geospatial industry standards compliant grants and sponsored projects; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Swaminathan credits his accomplishments to his family, including his loving wife, Vidhya Kalyanaraman, and to Delta State University; and

WHEREAS, born in India to his loving parents, S. Swaminathan and Rajam Swaminathan, Mr. Swaminathan obtained his bachelor's of engineering in computer science degree in 2001 from the University of Madras, India, and a master's degree in 2004 from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona; and

WHEREAS, the success of the State of Mississippi, the strength of our communities, and the overall vitality of the world's society depend, in great measure, upon the dedication of people like Mr. Swaminathan, who use their considerable talents and resources to serve others in need; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend such a marvelous person who has brought honor to his profession, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Subramanian Swaminathan on his merited and dedicated service to people in Haiti and Chile after the devastating earthquakes and to Delta State University, and extend to him best wishes for continued success in all of his future academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Subramanian Swaminathan, Delta State University and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.