MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Polk, Hudson, Fillingane, Butler (38th), Jackson (32nd), Jolly, Montgomery
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE OF LOU ELLEN ADAMS ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AS FORREST COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK AND FOR 40 YEARS OF COURTHOUSE SERVICE.
WHEREAS, for the last 40 years, Lou Ellen Adams has been a fixture at Forrest County court offices in downtown Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The longtime Circuit Clerk, who has served since 1996, has announced her retirement effective December 31; and
WHEREAS, Lou Ellen Adams began her career with the Forrest County Court System in 1975, when she started out as a Deputy Chancery Clerk. In 1983, she went back to school to become Circuit Court Reporter, a position she held for 13 years; and
WHEREAS, in 1996, Adams was elected to her first term as Circuit Clerk. In that position, she served as Administrator of the Circuit Court and was in charge of keeping records and inspecting criminal, juvenile and probate filings. She also handled fees paid to the court, and kept records on any other money that passed through the court. As one can imagine, a lot has changed during Adams' tenure with the court. In her case, no transition has been bigger or had more of an impact than evolving technology. "When I first became involved with the court system, court reporting was done by shorthand," she said. "Then we switched to computers, and since 2003, everything is scanned into the computer." Adams said after four decades with Forrest County, it will take a little adjusting to get out of her regular routine (her husband works for the Forrest County Sheriff's Department); and
WHEREAS, Forrest County District 2 Supervisor Charles Marshall, who has served on the Board of Supervisors for 20 years, said Adams has been a huge asset to the board, especially on the county budget. "We go through the budgetary system, and know that she can anticipate what the budget is going to be"; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute to a wonderful example for public servants, with a record of achievement and a legacy of leadership and dedication to all in Forrest County and in the State of Mississippi:
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 commend the dedicated public service of Lou Ellen Adams on the occasion of her retirement as Forrest County Circuit Clerk and for 40 years of courthouse service, and extend to her and her family the best wishes of the Legislature for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Forrest County Circuit Clerk Lou Ellen Adams, forwarded to the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.