House Concurrent Resolution 105

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT DICK RICE PROVIDED AS CHIEF METEOROLOGIST FOR WTVA NEWS DURING MORE THAN 31 YEARS OF REMARKABLE SERVICE.

WHEREAS, Dick Rice, Chief Meteorologist for WTVA News and iconic mainstay for weather forecasts in north and northeast Mississippi, will pass the reigns of leadership to a fellow colleague as he yields the stage to assume slightly less demanding responsibilities as the result of the expiration of his contract with the station in December 2010, signaling the end of his full-time status after more than three decades; and

WHEREAS, born in western Massachusetts, Dick enlisted in the United States Navy after high school and spent his next twenty-one years on various ships, overseas stations, and a number of facilities in the United States serving as a meteorologist providing stateside and oversea flight forecasts to pilots, most significantly in the South China Sea during the Vietnam era; and

WHEREAS, during his naval career, one of his more interesting assignments was with the "Joint Typhoons Warning Center" on Guam where he had the opportunity to work with the "Typhoon Hunters," a unit which flew into the center of these storms in order to obtain meteorological data; and

WHEREAS, after two decades of naval service, Dick joined WTVA in 1979 when the station sought to expand its staff of on-air meteorologists to provide weather for the morning and noon shows; and

WHEREAS, in the years since, Mr. Rice has witnessed the evolvement of the massive technological advancements in weather graphic systems and Doppler radar, as well as the addition of two additional full-time meteorologists, all the while maintaining the primary objective to provide the most accurate weather information possible, despite the circumstances; and

WHEREAS, Rice, who holds a bachelor of science degree from Troy State University and did graduate work at Central Michigan University, oversaw a staff of three full-time meteorologists and leads the station's severe weather coverage as WTVA's chief meteorologist, in addition to having fulfilled responsibility of providing weather service for the local ABC and FOX affiliates as well as on radio; and

WHEREAS, ever the purveyor of knowledge through the years, he has shared his knowledge of weather by speaking at elementary and high schools all across north Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, for his skill and longevity, Rice has many honors and awards to his name including: having been inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Silver Circle, recognizing his contribution of over a quarter-century of dedication to the television industry; and inducted into the 2009 Mississippi Associated Press Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in recognition of his distinguished broadcasting career, making him the first broadcaster from north Mississippi to receive this honor; and

WHEREAS, apart from his weather expertise, Dick, who is rumored to grow a pretty good tomato, enjoys gardening, and although it has been a number of years since he has resided in the Northeast, he still follows New England professional athletic teams closely, including the Red Sox, and according to Dick, "I love the Patriots and still bleed Celtic green."; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the career of such a remarkable individual as Dick Rice, who is a legend in his own right and whose accurate weather predictions have benefited the citizens of north and northeast 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 the remarkable service of Dick Rice upon the decision to yield the post of Chief Meteorologist for WTVA News after more than 30 years of iconic service and extend sincere wishes and bountiful blessings for many years to come.

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