MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blount, Frazier, Horhn, Norwood, Burton, Fillingane, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT OF ROBERT (BOB) OWENS OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, AS OUTGOING PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND THANKING HIM FOR HIS SERVICE.
WHEREAS, during his tenure as President of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, Robert (Bob) Owens witnessed a record number of diplomas awarded at Mississippi Public Universities during Commencement Ceremonies, managed the selection of two university Presidents and a new Commissioner of Higher Education, and led a renewed emphasis on fundraising efforts; and
WHEREAS, Trustee Owens passed the gavel to the incoming President at a recent board meeting. "I have enjoyed working with my fellow Board members, university leaders, policymakers and private sector leaders to help advance our university system and our state," said Owens; and
WHEREAS, Owens served as Vice President of the Board during Trustee Blakeslee's term. Trustee Aubrey Patterson served as Vice President during Owens' term; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Owens was appointed to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning by Governor Haley Barbour in 2004. His term will expire in May 2015; and
WHEREAS, Trustee Owens is a Partner in the Law Firm of Owens Moss, PLLC, in Jackson. His primary area of practice is general and personal injury litigation. The firm is listed in Martindale-Hubbell's Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, which is limited to only the most distinguished law practices and specifically those that have achieved the AV rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. The "A" signifies the highest level of legal ability, while the "V" denotes "very high" adherence to the professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability and diligence; and
WHEREAS, Owens holds a bachelor's degree from Jackson State University and earned his law degree from Florida State University College of Law. He is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Charles Clark Chapter of the American Inn of Court. In addition, he is past President of the Magnolia Bar Association and is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Hinds County Bar Association; and
WHEREAS, named Alumnus of the Year by the JSU Department of History in 1997, Owens has received numerous awards, including the Jack H. Young, Sr., Award for the lawyer contributing the most to the profession, the R. Jess Brown Award, and the NAACP of Mississippi's Lawyer of the Year Award. In 1993, he was appointed to a U.S. Magistrate Selection Committee by a Chief United States Judge. He has served on the Mississippi Supreme Court Rules Advisory Committee and the Mississippi Bar Disciplinary Complaints Tribunal; and
WHEREAS, Trustee Owens is married to Chancellor Denise Sweet Owens. They have four children: Selika, Bobby, Brittany and Jason. "Serving on the Board of Trustees requires a great deal of time, dedication and attention to matters that hold great weight, both for our universities and our state," said Dr. Jim Borsig, Commissioner of Higher Education. "Mississippi is fortunate to have had a committed, courageous member such as Trustee Owens to serve on the board"; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University, including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi, including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi; and it is with great pride that we commend a legacy of leadership and dedication to the university system in Mississippi and a most public-spirited citizen whose enormous civic energy is an example for public servants and leaders:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the record of achievement of Robert Owens of Jackson, Mississippi, as outgoing President of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and thanking him for his service.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Bob Owens, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.