House Resolution 10

A RESOLUTION HONORING THE MISSISSIPPI FIRE ASSOCIATION UPON THE OUTSTANDING OCCASION OF ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, after a century of valiantly serving the people of the State of Mississippi, the Mississippi Firefighter's Association (MFFA) is celebrating its 100th anniversary, a truly momentous occasion; and

WHEREAS, on February 15, 1923, at the Central Fire Station on President Street in Jackson, Mississippi, the Mississippi Firefighter's Association was first organized as the Mississippi State Firemen's Association by several municipal fire chiefs who annually made a trip to Memphis, Tennessee, after World War I, to attend the International Fire Chiefs Association Convention; and

WHEREAS, during its organizational meeting, the association's constitution and bylaws were adopted, and the Mississippi State Firemen's Relief and Benefit Fund was created to provide compensation for aged and disabled firefighters; and

WHEREAS, Chief J.L. Lawrence of Laurel served as temporary chairman of the association until the election of officers, and those in attendance of this meeting were: J.W. Wilks, who was elected as second vice president, T.J. Croften, and Red King of Vicksburg; W.G. Worthen of Meridian, who was elected third vice president; W. Hodskins of Yazoo City, who was elected as first vice president; E.V. Donovan of Greenville; V.B. Eaton of Hattiesburg; L.F. McDonald, who was elected president by a unanimous vote, A.J. Cannon, who was elected as Secretary-Treasurer, and several other firemen of Jackson; and

WHEREAS, on July 20, 1948, the Mississippi State Firemen's Association was chartered when Governor Fielding Wright signed the documents, along with the proper signatures of Secretary of State Heber Ladner and Attorney General Greek L. Rice; and

WHEREAS, throughout the years, many important topics were discussed during the MFFA's annual conventions, such as: the Mississippi Fireman's Relief and Pension Fund; Two Platoon System; Civil Service System; arson investigations; Death Benefit Fund; fire prevention courses taught in high school; training of volunteer fire departments throughout the state; establishing a State Fire Academy; state-wide building and electrical codes; requiring the municipalities provide liability insurance for emergency vehicle drivers; mutual-aid programs between neighboring fire departments; following the federal government and its adoption of one week in October as Fire Prevention Week; strengthening the Firemen and Policemen Disability and Relief Fund; allowing the counties to give financial aid to fire departments; and the establishment of the Ladies Auxiliary; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor extraordinary organizations such as the Mississippi Firefighter's Association, whose members help protect, preserve and promote the fire service in Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby honor and celebrate the Mississippi Fire Association upon the outstanding occasion of its 100th anniversary, and express our most sincere wishes for continued success in all its future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Mississippi Fire Association and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.