MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Dearing, Butler (38th), Gollott, Collins, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, Jordan, King
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND THANKING LARRY L. "BUTCH" BROWN, SR., FOR HIS YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL AND DEDICATED SERVICE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
WHEREAS, as Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation from 2001 to 2011, Larry "Butch" Brown, Sr., had full and general supervision over administrative and technical matters relating to airport and port development, highway construction and maintenance, weight enforcement, public transit, and rail safety. The executive director administers the policies approved by the Transportation Commission and prepares reports to the Legislature and the Governor. The executive director appoints a chief engineer deputy executive director and a director for each of the four operating offices reporting directly to the executive director. These offices include Highways, Administrative Services, Intermodal Planning and Enforcement. The Audit, Special Assistant Attorneys General, Information Systems and Public Affairs divisions also report to the executive director; and
WHEREAS, "Butch" Brown, Sr., was appointed by the Mississippi Transportation Commission as Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) in 2001. His many activities through MDOT include serving on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Heritage Trust, the Board of Directors of the Southern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (SASHTO), the Board of Directors of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), Chairman of the AASHTO Standing Committee on Ports and Waterways, Chairman of the Institute for Trade and Transportation Studies, Chairman of the Mississippi Institute, the Advisory Board of the Mississippi State University School of Engineering, and as an Ex-Officio Board Member of Mississippi Mainstreet. In 2001, he was chosen to serve as a member on the Advisory Board of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and in 2003, to serve on the Advisory Board of the Mississippi World Trade Center. In 2008, he was elected as President of the Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (SASHTO). He was also elected as the Vice President of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in the same year. The following year from 2009 to 2010 he served as President of AASHTO; and
WHEREAS, before coming to MDOT, Butch was a longtime businessman, and the former Mayor (1992-2000) of Natchez, Mississippi, the oldest city on the Mississippi River. As a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, he served the school's Department of Marketing and Management as an instructor for seven years. Thereafter, Brown became successful in several business ventures in the areas of transportation, warehousing, real estate, wholesaling, and the hotel trade; and
WHEREAS, among Brown's many private sector honors are the Governor's Glove Award, the Mississippi Volunteer of the Year Laureate, Inc., Magazine's, Inc., 500 Award, the Blue Chip Enterprise Award, the Mississippi Municipal Association's 1994, 1995, and 1996 "Making Mississippi Move" Award, the Mississippi Historical Society/Mississippi Heritage Trust 1995 Award of Merit, the 1996 NLC City Cultural Diversity Award, Outstanding Community Leader in the Wal-Mart Corporation, American Hometown Leaders Award Program, "Outstanding Achievement Award in the 1997 City Livability Awards Program" by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and most recently, "The President's Award" by the Natchez Business and Civic League in 1998 for outstanding achievement in the City of Natchez. His international travels business dealings have given Brown a unique global perspective and sensitivity in resolving the transportation issues in the State of Mississippi and in his hometown, historic City of Natchez; and
WHEREAS, Brown is married to Shields Godfrey Brown and is the father of three children, Larry L., Jr., Coyle Sessions, and Caroline (deceased). He is a member and former Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church in Natchez; and
WHEREAS, Butch Brown is nationally respected by his peers in the highway administration field, and it is with great pride that we acknowledge the many years of public service of this long tenured public servant and friend:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Larry L. "Butch" Brown, Sr., for his many years of professional and dedicated service as Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, and extend to Butch and his family the thanks of a grateful state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Butch Brown, forwarded to the Mississippi Transportation Commission and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.