House Resolution 19

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER OF MRS. BETTY HARRIS AND CONGRATULATING HER UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES-OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AFTER MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF MERITORIOUS SERVICE TO THE AGENCY AND MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Betty Harris, daughter of the late Jim Burkett and Inez Burkett, celebrates her retirement from the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services-Office of Vocational Rehabilitation after more than 20 years of meritorious service to the agency and more than 40 years of service to the citizens of the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Harris attended Earl Travillion School where she met her late husband, Sergeant First Class Robert L. Harris, and she has worked in a professional capacity in assisting individuals with cognitive and intellectual disabilities since she and SFC Harris moved to Frankfurt, Germany, soon after their marriage; and

WHEREAS, upon moving back to Mississippi, Mrs. Harris accepted a job with Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources where she worked diligently for over 13 years before taking a job with the Hattiesburg Public School System in the special education department, helping to serve the youth of the City of Hattiesburg for over five years; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Harris worked briefly at First Guaranty Bank after leaving the school system, and it was a bank customer, Elaine Schafer, who informed her about the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services-Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and after applying for a position with the department she has been with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to this day; and

WHEREAS, during the course of Mrs. Harris's 20-plus years with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, she earned much-deserved recognition for her professionalism, confidence and proficiency when she was honored with the Most Outstanding Job Placement Award from 1995 to 2007, named the Most Outstanding Job Placement Staff Person of the Year in 2002, and given numerous other certificates of appreciation awards during her employment; and

WHEREAS, throughout her career, she has been supported by family: her late husband, SFC Robert L. Harris; sons, Michael and Jonathan; grandchildren, Austin, Brandon, Jonathan and Taelyr; and many other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the stellar career of such a hardworking individual as Mrs. Betty Harris, whose service has allowed the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services-Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to make great strides in helping the citizens of this state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the distinguished career and meritorious service of Mrs. Betty Harris, congratulate her upon the occasion of her retirement after more than 20 years of commitment to the State of Mississippi in her service to one of her most important agencies and more than 40 years of service to the citizens of this great state, and express warmest wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

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