Senate Concurrent Resolution 532

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING LONGTIME CONGRESSIONAL CONSTITUENT AIDE JANICE MITCHELL OF MADISON, MISSISSIPPI, THE ONLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN TO HAVE WORKED FOR TWO MISSISSIPPI SENATORS, ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, United States Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) has expressed his appreciation for Janice Mitchell of Madison, a Constituent Service Representative, who has retired after assisting Mississippians for 38 years; and

WHEREAS, Janice Mitchell, the only African-American woman to have worked for two Mississippi Senators, joined the staff of the late United States Senator John C. Stennis in 1978 before beginning work for Senator Cochran in his Jackson field office in 1985. The Magee, Mississippi, native is one of the longest-serving staff members in the history of the United States Senate; and

WHEREAS, during her tenure, Mitchell managed nearly 5,000 constituent cases for Mississippians needing assistance with Medicare, Medicaid, and the Social Security Administration, a majority of which have been resolved favorably; and

WHEREAS, in a Congressional Record statement recognizing Mitchell's service, Cochran stated, "Janice's tenure as a Senate employee has been historic. Janice Mitchell is one of the longest-serving staff members in Senate history and the only African-American woman to have worked for two Senators from Mississippi. Janice is compassionate, caring and proficient. She has exceeded her duty to help Mississippians navigate Federal programs and receive the benefits to which they are entitled. Janice has had a long and distinguished career with the United States Senate. She has proven to be a friend, not just to me and my staff, but to thousands of individuals and families she has helped over the years"; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran and the staff of the United States Senate in paying tribute to Janice Mitchell, a wonderful example for public servants who leaves a legacy of leadership and dedication to all 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 extend the best wishes of the Legislature to longtime Congressional Aide Janice Mitchell of Madison, Mississippi, the only African-American woman to have worked for two Mississippi Senators, on the occasion of her retirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Janice Mitchell, forwarded to United States Senator Thad Cochran and the Secretary of the United States Senate, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.