House Concurrent Resolution 112

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MR. JOHN O. GILBERT UPON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER 30 YEARS OF EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Mr. John O. Gilbert, CPA, is being commended for over 30 years of outstanding public service to the state upon the special occasion of his retirement; and

WHEREAS, an individual who knows the importance of receiving an education, Mr. Gilbert received a bachelor of professional accountancy from Mississippi State University in 1983 and three years later, in 1986, he became a certified public accountant, which speaks volumes of his expertise in the discipline of accounting; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Gilbert began his career with the Mississippi State Department of Audit where he made immense contributions with the department from 1983-1986, and served as a senior auditing accountant and zealously upheld the public trust in the effective use of public funds; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Gilbert, from 1986-1991, was employed with the Legislative Budget Office where he was promoted from a budget analyst to a budget officer and advised Senators and Senate chairmen on budget matters as well as prepared Senate appropriations bills and amendments; and

WHEREAS, from 1991-1994, continuing his dedication to the state, Mr. Gilbert served as the Director of Financial Management with the Department of Rehabilitation Services and then from 1994-2000 served as the Business Manager of the Department of Archives and History; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Gilbert also served in the Office of the Governor where he was the Director of Administration/Fiscal Policy Advisor from 2000-2001; and

WHEREAS, after serving in the executive branch of government with the Office of the Governor, Mr. Gilbert once again served in the legislative branch of government from 2001-2008 as the Secretary of the Senate, where he ensured that the daily operations as well as the policies of the Senate were effectively executed; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Gilbert, after making great contributions to the Senate, served from 2008 through 2009 as Deputy State Auditor for the Office of the State Auditor, where he was responsible for the audit, investigative and administrative divisions of the office as well as served as a legislative liaison for the office; and

WHEREAS, notably, as a legislative liaison, for the Office of the State Auditor, Mr. Gilbert was instrumental in the successful passage of key audit legislation brought forth in the 2008 and 2009 legislative sessions; and

WHEREAS, from 2009 through 2012, Mr. Gilbert once again utilized his outstanding skills when he was named Director of Educational Accountability for the Mississippi Department of Education, where he provided oversight for the following: Office of Accreditation, Office of Internal Accountability, Office of Management Information Systems and Office of Reporting; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his vast career accomplishments, Mr. Gilbert is a member of the following organizations: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants, Association of Governmental Accountants and the Mississippi State Accountancy Program Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Gilbert, a multi-faceted individual, is also active in his church and community, a member of Highland Colony Baptist Church in Ridgeland, Mississippi, an executive board member of the Ridgeland High School Athletic Booster Club, the head coach for the Madison Ninety-Sixers USSA Select Baseball Team and is the assistant coach for the Jackson Ninety-Sixers Junior Baseball Team, which demonstrates his passion for the youth of the state; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to pay tribute to great public servants such as Mr. John O. Gilbert, whose outstanding management and accountant skills have been utilized for 30 years to help ensure that the great State of Mississippi is run to its optimal capacity:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Mr. John O. Gilbert upon the special occasion of his retirement after 30 years of invaluable service to the State of Mississippi.

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