House Resolution 14

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE HONORABLE MARY ANN STEVENS FOR HER MANY YEARS OF DEDICATION AS A LEGISLATOR AND THANKING HER FOR HER AUTHORING LEGISLATION THAT ESTABLISHED THE RURAL FIRE TRUCK ACQUISITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

WHEREAS, the Honorable Mary Ann Stevens dedicated 30 years of public service as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives representing District 48; and

WHEREAS, a lifelong native of West, Mississippi, and graduate of West High School, she developed her resources and talents as a real estate holder and banker, and went on to marry the love of her life, A.J. Stevens, III, with whom she created a blessed family with daughter, Elizabeth Ann; and

WHEREAS, she first entered the political arena when she won the post of Alderman in the Town of West; and

WHEREAS, after this first political victory, she went on to climb the political ladder by being elected as the Mayor of West, a position she held over seven years; and

WHEREAS, in 1981, driven by a desire to serve the public on a larger scale, the Honorable Mary Ann Stevens decided to seek election to the Mississippi House of Representatives District 48 seat; and

WHEREAS, while serving her constituents and state as a member of the House of Representatives, the Honorable Mary Ann Stevens served on numerous committees and special committees, and most notably, she served as Chairman of the Insurance Committee, where she participated in authoring the legislation that created the Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Program; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of fire trucks have been placed in rural Mississippi communities because of the creation of the Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Program; and

WHEREAS, due to the existence of this effective program, homeowners in rural areas have seen their homeowners' insurance premiums decrease and stabilize, and Mississippians have seen added protection from fires and fire damage for communities that never had fire protection before the enactment of the Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Program; and

WHEREAS, the Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Program has provided and continues to provide the best equipment to the volunteer fire fighters of Mississippi, which has saved lives and property, and saved Mississippians an estimated $50 million a year on insurance premiums; and

WHEREAS, not only was she a passionate member of this body, but the Honorable Mary Ann Stevens served passionately with her local community groups, such as a member of the North Central Planning and Development Board, Mississippi Women's Club, Mississippi Municipal Association, West Garden Club and West Primary Health Care Clinic; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor the legacy of citizens who represent this state with dignity and honor:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 0F THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the Honorable Mary Ann Stevens for her many years of dedicated service as a legislator, and express gratitude to her for authoring the legislation that created the Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Program.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Honorable Mary Ann Stevens and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.