MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Kirby, Barnett, Blackwell, Blount, Branning, Browning, Butler, Carmichael, Caughman, Chassaniol, Clarke, Dearing, DeBar, Doty, Fillingane, Frazier, Hill, Hopson, Jolly, Massey, McMahan, Moran, Norwood, Parker, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Stone, Watson, Wiggins, Wilemon, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Burton, Jackson (15th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING SENATE LEGISLATIVE SERVICES ATTORNEY WILLIAM (BUBBA) NEELY UPON HIS RECEIPT OF THE PRESTIGIOUS 2015 CARTER/HELLARD STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARD PRESENTED BY THE SOUTHERN LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE FOR DISTINGUISHED AND OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO STATE LEGISLATORS IN THE SOUTH.
WHEREAS, on Sunday, July 19, 2015, longtime Senate Legislative Services Attorney William (Bubba) Neely was presented the prestigious 2015 Carter/Hellard Staff Excellence Award by the Southern Legislative Conference for distinguished and outstanding service to state Legislators in the South. This award is presented to the individual whom, in the judgment of the Legislative Service Agency Directors, has demonstrated excellence and dedication in staffing service to the Legislature. The presentation was made by Bob Davidson, Director of the Mississippi Senate Legislative Services Office, and Teresa Tiller, Director (retired) of the Mississippi House Legislative Services Office, at the Annual Southern Legislative Conference held in Savannah, Georgia. It was the first such staff award for excellence received by the Mississippi Senate; and
WHEREAS, William is known to everyone in the State of Mississippi as "Bubba." Bubba was employed by the Mississippi Senate Legislative Services Office in 1977 and the 2015 Regular Session was his 38th year as Staff Attorney for the Senate. The Legislative Services Office is organized by committee assignments and Bubba is responsible for all legislation regarding state and local taxation and bonded indebtedness. Over the years he has become an acknowledged expert in these fields by State Agency Directors, the Mississippi Department of Revenue, and bond lawyers. He has developed the language in our bills for the various types of economic development and general obligation bonds which has become a critical part of our legislative process. Bubba has also been responsible for election legislation and appeared before the U.S. Department of Justice preclearance attorneys in Washington, D.C., on behalf of the state to present the Election Code of 1986, a major revision and reenactment of our election laws; and
WHEREAS, Bubba's father (the late Dr. Augustus Neely) was one of the founders of the University Medical Center in Jackson in the 1950s and Bubba has brought to the Mississippi Senate the perspective of the health care industry and the academic faculty community. During Bubba's career he turned down numerous offers from the private sector due to his genuine dedication to our legislative institution. He serves his state well with skill, professionalism and dignity; and
WHEREAS, this award is to honor an individual who has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to the legislative institution and a clear vision and understanding of the role of legislative staffing in representative government; participated in the provision of staff work resulting in systemic public policy reform or institutional improvement; and consistently approached his or her legislative work with grace and good humor under pressure. Bubba has demonstrated beyond a doubt his love for the Mississippi Senate and his dedication to the principle that the provision of legal services to the Legislature be done in a professional manner and environment; and
WHEREAS, it is with pride that we join the Southern Legislative Conference in recognizing a career that has brought honor to The Mississippi Bar, the Mississippi Legislature and to the Great 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 congratulate Senate Legislative Services Attorney William (Bubba) Neely upon his receipt of the prestigious 2015 Carter/Hellard Staff Excellence Award presented by the Southern Legislative Conference in Savannah, Georgia, on July 19, 2015, for distinguished and outstanding service to state legislators in the South, and extend the commendation of the Mississippi Legislature for this auspicious award.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Bubba Neely and members of his family and the Senate Legislative Services Office, forwarded to The Mississippi Bar and the Southern Legislative Conference, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.