MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Simmons (13th), Gollott, Butler (36th), Turner, Butler (38th), Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Jones, Browning, Burton, Carmichael, Clarke, Jackson (15th), Jolly, Kirby, Lee, Longwitz, Montgomery, Stone, Watson, Wilemon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING MISSISSIPPI CORRECTIONS COMMISSIONER CHRISTOPHER EPPS AS THE LONGEST-SERVING COMMISSIONER IN THE STATE'S HISTORY, ON THE OCCASION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH.
WHEREAS, as the state celebrates Black History Month, we acknowledge that Mississippi Corrections Commissioner Christopher Epps, the longest-serving Commissioner in the state's history, was recently honored with the Michael Francke Award as the outstanding Director of Corrections for 2011 by the Association of State Correctional Administrators (ASCA); and
WHEREAS, Christopher B. Epps was appointed Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) by former Governor Ronnie Musgrove on August 30, 2002, and by Governor Haley Barbour in 2004. Currently serving his 10th year, he was reappointed to the post on January 12, 2012, by Governor Phil Bryant; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Epps started his career with the Mississippi Department of Corrections in 1982 as a Correctional Officer at the Mississippi State Penitentiary. His extensive corrections experience with the MDOC includes: Chief of Staff, Deputy Commissioner of Institutions, Deputy Commissioner of Community Corrections, Director of Offender Services, Deputy Superintendent, Chief of Security, Corrections Case Management Supervisor, Director of Treatment Services and Corrections Case Manager. Additionally, he has served as Disciplinary Hearing Officer/Investigator and Director of Records for the agency; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Epps has held various leadership positions throughout his career in corrections and in the military. Having served in the Armed Forces since 1984, Commissioner Epps received an honorable discharge from the Mississippi Army National Guard after attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The Commissioner is a member of the Association of State Correctional Administrators, serving on the Correctional Industries, Research and Technology, Reentry and Community Corrections, Racial Issues and the Program and Training Committees; and
WHEREAS, he serves as an Auditor with the American Correctional Association (ACA), and in 2008, was elected to a two-year term as Treasurer of the ACA. He was elected in 2006 to serve on the ACA Nominating Committee, and in June 2004, he was elected to the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections of the American Correctional Association for the term of 2004-2008; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, he was appointed to the Executive Committee for the Commission. He is a long-standing member of the Southern States Correctional Association (SSCA), and in 2008 was selected to serve as President of the Association. Additionally, he serves on the Board for Alcohol Services, Mississippi Prison Industries, the Mississippi Drug Court Advisory Committee, and is a former mentor with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, other appointments consist of serving on the Council of Advisors for the College of Public Service at Jackson State University; and appointments by Governor Haley Barbour to the State Workforce Investment Board, and the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision as Mississippi's representative. He is Chairman of the Mississippi Wireless Communications Commission and is a member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Former Chairman of the Victim Services Committee for ASCA, the Commissioner has also served ACA as the Chairman of Workforce Development and as Chairman of the Adult Corrections Standards Committee; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Epps' list of accomplishments and awards are numerous and include being named "Humanitarian of the Year" in 2007 by the Mississippi Association of Professionals in Corrections as well as "Professional of the Year" in 2000 and 2004; the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award from the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education; one of the "50 Most Influential African-Americans in Mississippi" by BlackMississippi.com and 2004 recipient of "The Distinguished Public Service Award" by the University of Southern Mississippi, Department of Criminal Justice, for his contributions to the criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, additional honors include: Army Commendations Medal; Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; National Defense Service Medal; NCO Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Mississippi Medal of Efficiency; Mississippi War Medal; and the Mississippi Longevity Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. Commissioner Epps was awarded the honorary title "Kentucky Colonel" in 2007 by Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher. On May 28, 2009, presented by the Mississippi House and Senate, Resolution, No. 114, for dedication and outstanding service as the longest-serving Commissioner in the history of the Mississippi Department of Corrections; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Epps' correctional/civilian affiliations include the American Correctional Association, Association of State Corrections Administrators, North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents, Southern States Correctional Association, Mississippi Association of Professionals in Corrections, the Correctional Peace Office Foundation, the National Guard Association of Mississippi and the National Guard Association of the United States; and
WHEREAS, a native of Tchula, Mississippi, Commissioner Epps is a graduate of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia with a Master of Arts Degree in Guidance and Counseling. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi Valley State University. This year, the Association of State Correctional Administrators honored Christopher B. Epps, Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, as the outstanding Director of Corrections for 2011. Commissioner Epps is married to Catherlean Sanders Epps and they have two sons, Chris and Tracey; and
WHEREAS, Chris Epps' accomplishments in the field of Corrections, his outstanding service to the state and the local community, active participation in the Association of State Correctional Administrators, and his integrity, diplomacy and competence all illustrate how truly deserving he is to be honored:
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 salute Mississippi Corrections Commissioner Christopher Epps as the longest-serving Commissioner in the state's history and the recipient of the Michael Francke Award as the outstanding National Director of Corrections by the Association of State Correctional Administrators, on the occasion of Black History Month.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Commissioner Epps and his family at Hanging Moss Church of Christ on February 25, 2012, in acknowledgment of its Black History Program, forwarded to the Governor and the Association of State Correctional Administrators, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.