House Resolution 90

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING REPRESENTATIVE CECIL BROWN FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND WISHING HIM WELL UPON HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, the honorable and distinguished Representative Cecil Brown will retire from the Mississippi House of Representatives after providing extraordinary service to the people of Mississippi and House District 66, which is situated within Hinds County, for 16 consecutive years; and

WHEREAS, born on June 22, 1944, in Meridian, Mississippi, Representative Brown graduated from Meridian High School and received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Mississippi and his master's degree in public accountancy from the University of Texas; and

WHEREAS, Representative Brown began his career in public service before he was elected to the House of Representatives, serving as the Chief of Staff for Governor Ray Mabus and subsequently ensuring Mississippi's daily operation as State Fiscal Officer and Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as a legislator, Representative Brown dutifully served on the following committees: Agriculture, Appropriations, Conservation and Water Resources, Education, Judiciary B, Joint Legislative Budget, Medicaid, Municipalities, Public Buildings Grounds and Lands, Public Health and Human Services, Public Property, and Universities and Colleges; and

WHEREAS, with his unique experience and extensive knowledge of state government obtained before his arrival at the Capitol, Representative Brown quickly gained respect, influence and prominence as a freshman lawmaker, soon rising to become Vice Chairman of the House Municipalities Committee, a member of the powerful Joint Legislative Budget Committee and Chairman of the House Education Committee; and

WHEREAS, as a member of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee for eight years, Representative Brown utilized the invaluable experience he gained as State Fiscal Officer and as an investment advisor and CPA specializing in accounting, auditing, tax consulting and financial management for Medley and Brown, LLC, to ensure fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget for the citizens of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, since his first day in office, Representative Brown has tirelessly strived to better public education in order to advance the intellect of all Mississippi students, especially while serving as the Chairman of Education for seven years; and

WHEREAS, upon his election in 1999, Representative Brown and his wife, Nancy, decided that all of his legislative pay would be donated to charity, so in 2008, because of their passion for education and to honor Nancy's remarkable career as an educator in the Jackson Public Schools, Representative Brown created the Nancy H. Brown Teacher Corps Endowment at the University of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his numerous other achievements and accomplishments, the Mississippi Association of Educators recently presented the "Friend of Education" award to Representative Brown in recognition of the many years he spent zealously promoting public education in the Legislature; and

WHEREAS, not one to limit his community involvement to the Legislature, Representative Brown, a devout member of St. James Episcopal Church, has always been active in his community and dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens, as evidenced by his service in a number of civic, professional and charitable organizations, including: the Mississippi Tax Institute; the State Auditor's task force on privatization in government; the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson; the Southern Growth Policies Board; the Southern Regional Education Board; ALCAA; the Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants; the Jackson Redevelopment Authority; the Downtown YMCA; and the Metro Jackson YMCA; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his career as a successful businessman and statesman, Representative Brown has been a devoted husband to Nancy Haas Brown, and the father of four children, Lisa, Mickey, Lindy and Nathan, and proud grandfather of seven grandchildren, who have supported him in all of his endeavors; and

WHEREAS, Representative Brown, an insightful lawmaker, has enlightened debates with his intelligent perspective, and while sometimes relentless in questioning his fellow lawmakers, he has garnered unparalleled respect from both sides of the aisle; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor the legacy of one of our own, an exemplary public servant to the Magnolia State as the member of the House of Representatives from District 66, Representative Cecil Brown, whose knowledge, skill and strenuous laboriousness will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate to work with him and experience his greatness:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend our friend and colleague, Representative Cecil Brown, for his dedicated service and unmatched contributions to the citizens of Mississippi and congratulate him upon his retirement from the Mississippi House of Representatives.

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