REFERENCE TITLE: death resolution; M. Lee Allison

State of Arizona Senate Fifty-third Legislature First Regular Session 2017

SCR 1006

Introduced by Senators Griffin: Allen S, Barto, Borrelli, Bowie, Bradley, Brophy McGee, Burges, Contreras, Dalessandro, Fann, Farley, Farnsworth D, Hobbs, Kavanagh, Lesko, Mendez, Meza, Miranda, Montenegro, Otondo, Peshlakai, Petersen, Pratt, Quezada, Smith, Worsley, Yarbrough, Yee; Representatives Allen J, Andrade, Barton, Benally, Bowers, Boyer, Butler, Campbell, Cardenas, Chávez, Clark, Cobb, Coleman, Cook, Descheenie, Engel, Epstein, Fernandez, Finchem, Friese, Gabaldón, Grantham, Hernandez, John, Kern, Lawrence, Leach, Livingston, Mesnard, Mitchell, Mosley, Navarrete, Norgaard, Nutt, Payne, Rios, Rivero, Rubalcava, Salman, Shooter, Shope, Stringer, Syms, Townsend, Udall, Ugenti-Rita, Weninger

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

on the death of M. Lee Allison.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

M. Lee Allison, State Geologist of Arizona and the Director of the Arizona Geological Survey, passed away on August 16, 2016 at the age of sixty‑eight.

Born in 1948, Lee spent his early years in the Philadelphia area before moving with his family to Los Angeles.  He was the first in his family to attend college, paying for his education with scholarships, student loans and summer jobs.  Knowing from a young age that he wanted to pursue a career in geology, he received his bachelor's degree at the University of California, Riverside, his master's degree at San Diego State University and his Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. 

Dedicated to public service, Lee transitioned to the public sector after working for fifteen years in the oil industry.  As the dynamic leader of the geological surveys in Arizona (2005-2016), Kansas (1999‑2004) and Utah (1989-1999), he sought to increase the global impact of the research and outreach of these agencies.  Believing that state geological surveys could transform the economic well‑being of a state, Lee worked tirelessly to identify natural resources and better the lives of the citizens of the states he served.

Lee was a visionary, active in the interface between science and public policy throughout his career.  Recognizing the potential of the powerful tool of geoinformatics, he became a world‑renowned leader in the efforts to develop cyberinfrastructure for the earth sciences.  In recent years, he shifted his focus from local to national and international, involving himself with EarthCube, OneGeology and the Belmont Forum.  Lee's commitment to the advancement of the geosciences and the betterment of this world earned him the well-deserved respect and admiration of all who had the privilege to work with him.

A strong advocate for the advancement of women in the geosciences, Lee was an active member of the Association for Women Geoscientists in Salt Lake City almost from the inception of the chapter.  In spite of frequent criticism and significant resistance, Lee remained unwavering in his commitment to the cause.

Among his many awards and honors, Lee received the Public Service Award of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Tanya Atwater "Encourage" Award from the Association for Women Geoscientists for promoting the role of women in the profession and the American Institute of Professional Geologists John T. Galey Jr. Award for Public Service.

Devoted to his family, Lee will be greatly missed by his wife, Ann Becker, brother, Mark Allison and sister, Catherine Torrance.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the Members of the Legislature express regret at the passing of M. Lee Allison and extend their sympathies and condolences to his family and many friends.