House Concurrent Resolution 48

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE IMPECCABLE SERVICE AND CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MR. WILLIAM "LARRY" LUCAS, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS/DIVERSITY PROGRAMS FOR THE PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURERS OF AMERICA (PHRMA) ON THE OCCASION OF BEING HONORED BY THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS DURING ITS 25TH ANNUAL BANQUET.

WHEREAS, William "Larry" Lucas, former Vice President, Government Affairs/Diversity Programs for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), an association representing the leading research-based biopharmaceutical companies in the United States, through his perseverance and unrelenting focus on and dedication to reducing racial and ethnic, gender and geographic health disparities, is widely known as one of the nation's most passionate health equity champions; and

WHEREAS, during his illustrious career, Mr. Lucas honed his expertise and energy around coalition building and grassroots development, as he worked with the United States Congress and state legislators on issues critically important to expanding patient access to medicines, access to quality health care and the research-based pharmaceutical industry; and

WHEREAS, ever the communicator, Larry did a stint in radio as a young man, and eventually employed those skills in conveying the messages he penned in a nationally syndicated monthly column about new developments in medical innovation; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Lucas' incredible accomplishments began long before he joined PhRMA, commencing with receiving a bachelor of science degree in education from Jackson State University and honorably serving the nation in the United States Air Force before joining the staff of the Bureau of Census where he conceptualized and launched a landmark outreach campaign for the 1980 census program that involved over 86,000 government jurisdictions, one of many testaments of success during his 16 years with the Bureau that proved so instrumental that the program was replicated in the 1990 and 2000 censuses; and

WHEREAS, having joined PhRMA in 1990, his impressive portfolio of professional work experience entailed various public affairs roles at such organizations as Michigan Consolidated Gas Companies, Primark Corporation's Hospital Satellite Network, Gulf Oil Corporation in Houston, Texas, and the Bureau of Census, where in each role his commitment to excellence and unwillingness to accept mediocrity, garnered him the reputation as a respected, trustworthy, savvy public and legislative affairs expert; and

WHEREAS, the first recipient of the Congressional Black Caucus Fall Health Braintrust's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010, he was also honored in the Congressional Record dated May 28, 2010, for his "dedication and illustrious career which, over many decades, has always championed to improve the health and wellness of all people, but particularly of the underserved"; and

WHEREAS, now operating within the first year of his appointment to the Africa Diaspora North Initiative Strategic Planning Committee Board, as well as to the Board of Trustees for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), he holds numerous leadership positions on the boards of directors, as well as advisory boards and councils of some of the nation's most influential and prominent organizations, including: the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.; the National Black Caucus of State Legislators; the National Hispanic Medical Foundation; the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies; the Congressional Black Caucus Political Education and Leadership Institute; the Providence Health Foundation Providence Hospital; Yale University's School of Nursing External Advisory Board; a founding member of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators' Business Board of Advisors; Tougaloo College; and the National Democratic Club; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Lucas has had the distinct privilege of being loved and supported throughout his career by his loving wife, Camille, their family and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the achievements of such great American leaders and servants of mankind as Mr. Lucas, who scale the echelon of success and knowledge to be selfless in the empowerment of mankind provided through an impassioned zeal and enduring commitment to serve:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the impeccable service and career accomplishments of William "Larry" Lucas on the occasion of being honored by the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus during its 25th Annual Banquet, and extend warmest wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

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