MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Tollison, Baria, Butler (38th), Fillingane, Frazier, Hopson, Jackson (32nd), McDaniel, Michel, Turner, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING HONORABLE LARRY HOUCHINS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 30TH ANNIVERSARY AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI BAR.
WHEREAS, on June 16, 2010, Honorable Larry Houchins celebrated his 30th Anniversary as Executive Director of The Mississippi Bar; and
WHEREAS, The Mississippi Bar could not have been in better hands for the past 30 years. Larry's leadership and his levelheaded, steady hand over the business and affairs of the Bar have been integral to its success; and
WHEREAS, in 1975, the Office of The Mississippi Bar consisted of the small offices of Director George Van Zandt and Secretary Alice Nevels on the top floor of the old Robert E. Lee Hotel building. A few years later, Leonard B. Melvin, Jr., then President of the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association and President-Elect of The Mississippi Bar, correctly concluded that the growing challenges to the Bar Administration and program implementation required the skills of Larry Houchins. That marked a new day for the growth of vital and efficient Bar governance, in the course of which Larry has amassed a repository of professional friendships throughout the American Bar and the gratitude of thousands of Mississippi lawyers. Larry Houchins oversees the operations of a unified statewide bar organization which serves over 8,500 active members, with 15 practice sections and 17 committees, and with an annual operating budget of over $2.6 Million. He also supervises a talented full-time staff of 20 members who organize and conduct annual meetings, conventions, CLE seminars, mock trial competitions, receptions, memorial services, law day activities, and who publish a magazine and a newsletter and provide numerous other services to the members of the Bar. Larry also oversees professionals who provide lawyers and judges assistance programs, handle Bar disciplinary matters and provide legislative and consumer assistance services. He also serves as Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Bar Commissioners and is Secretary and Treasurer of the Mississippi Bar Foundation, where he is responsible for the management of a $1.8 Million office building and the awarding of IOLTA and other grants; and
WHEREAS, the respect which Larry enjoys among those who have worked closely with him over the past 30 years is reflected in the comments and stories from past presidents, the other members of the Bar and from the public; and
WHEREAS, he also is highly respected by his peers in other states where he is recognized nationally:
· Tom Tinder, Executive Director of the West Virginia Bar, says that Larry is "highly respected and widely regarded as one of the best bar association executive directors in the nation";
· Bob Wells, Executive Director of the South Carolina Bar, says, "I admire what The Mississippi Bar accomplishes and attributed a good portion of that success to Larry's leadership";
· Loretta Larson, Executive Director of the Louisiana Bar, says, "Larry Houchins is an exceptional Bar executive. His quest for excellence and unassuming demeanor have served him well in his 30 years as a Bar executive";
· Alan Head, Executive Director of the North Carolina Bar, says, "Larry is the consummate gentleman and well-spoken Chamber of Commerce representative of Mississippi and Mississippi lawyers";
· Bruce Davis, former Executive Director of the Kentucky Bar, says, "Any person who has been an Executive Director of the same unified state bar for 30 years has to possess many positive management and diplomatic skills"; and
WHEREAS, Larry has been extremely loyal to Mississippi and the members of The Mississippi Bar. Larry also loves the Lord and loves his family. Perhaps Larry's highest compliment comes from his wife, Pamela, who was quoted recently as saying "Larry is committed to his faith, family and friends. One of Larry's highest priorities has been time spent as a father to our two sons"; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the State of Mississippi expresses our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to him for 30 years of service and our hope that he will continue to serve as our Executive Director for many, many more:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and congratulate Honorable Larry Houchins on the occasion of his 30th Anniversary as Executive Director of The Mississippi Bar, and extend our best wishes to Larry and to the members of the Bar on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Larry Houchins and his family, forwarded to The Mississippi Bar and the Mississippi Supreme Court, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.