MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Collins, Ward, Bryan, Butler (38th), Jackson (32nd), Jolly, Stone, Wilemon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE THANKS OF THE LEGISLATURE TO STATION WTVA CERTIFIED BROADCAST METEOROLOGIST MATT LAUBHAN AND HIS WTVA WEATHER TEAM FOR THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND EFFECTIVE FORECASTING OF THE VIOLENT TORNADO THAT STRUCK TUPELO AND CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI ON APRIL 28, 2014.
WHEREAS, Matt Laubhan is the Emmy Winning Chief Meteorologist for the WTVA Weather Authority and is Northeast Mississippi's first Certified Broadcast Meteorologist; and
WHEREAS, Matt has won numerous awards, including the 2013 Emmy Award for Best Weathercaster in the Southeast Region, and has been named "Best Weathercast" by the Mississippi Associated Press. He has received three Emmy Award nominations for his weather coverage over the last two years; and
WHEREAS, Matt is passionate about severe weather preparedness. He first completed spotter training when he was only ten years old, and has tracked countless tornadoes from the field and studio. Originally from the small Kansas Town of Russell, Matt graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Atmospheric Science. He graduated at the top of his class, and was awarded departmental honors for his study of tornado outbreaks. Matt also has the distinction of being the youngest person ever to be awarded the prestigious CBM Seal from the American Meteorological Society. The American Meteorological Society grants the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist designation to broadcast meteorologists who meet established criteria for scientific competence and effective communication skills in their weather presentations; and
WHEREAS, prior to joining WTVA, Matt spent seven years forecasting severe thunderstorms in West Texas as Chief Meteorologist for KLBK-TV, and before that as Morning Meteorologist for KAMC-TV in Lubbock, Texas. While attending the University of Kansas, Matt worked as an On-Air Meteorologist for KUJH-TV and KJHK-FM, and was an Intern and Assistant Weather Producer for KMBC-TV in Kansas City, Missouri; and
WHEREAS, on Monday, April 28, 2014, a powerful tornado with a rating of EF4 struck with unrelenting and violent force upon the City of Tupelo, the City of Louisville and Winston County, Mississippi. In one day, the worst natural disasters in the history of North Mississippi and Central Mississippi left a grievous blow, leaving a swath of destruction and causing loss of life and severe damage throughout the region; and
WHEREAS, the tornado struck Station WTVA while Matt was on the air. Through the professional and effective forecasting of WTVA meteorologists throughout the day, we quickly learned that the immense power of this tornado had overwhelmed critical infrastructure, including electric power, telecommunications, water, roads and streets. With the serious and immediate issues in Central and North Mississippi, there were many counties and citizens which needed support and assistance. As a result of his reporting, many volunteers traveled to the impacted areas to offer assistance to those in distress and for the protection of property; and
WHEREAS, Matt, his wife Emily, and their daughter Penny are happy to call the Magnolia State home, and are thankful that God has led them to Northeast Mississippi; and it is with great pride that we recognize the professional reporting efforts of this Mississippi citizen who is responsible for saving lives in the face of this destructive force, and by recognizing Matt we pay tribute to the memory of these brave citizens who lost their lives and property to the awesome force of nature:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and extend the thanks of the Legislature to Station WTVA Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Matt Laubhan and his WTVA Weather Team for their professional and effective forecasting of the violent tornado that struck Tupelo and Central Mississippi on April 28, 2014.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Matt Laubhan and his family, WTVA Station Manager John Sullivan, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.