Georgia-2011-SR1287-Enrolled

WHEREAS, Mr. Russell Hinton has diligently and conscientiously devoted innumerable hours of his time, talents, and energy toward the betterment of his community and state as evidenced dramatically by his 38 years of superlative service with the Department of Audits; and

WHEREAS, he was born October 19, 1952, in Warrenton, Georgia, and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1974 with a degree in accounting, and through the years, he has remained a steadfast bulldog fan; and

WHEREAS, he began his career with the Department of Audits after graduation in 1974 and has held different positions within the department, culminating with his appointment as State Auditor in 1999, and one of his many noteworthy achievements in that position was his work in the creation of the State Accounting Office, which came into being by executive order on October 6, 2004; and

WHEREAS, he has served as president of the Atlanta Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) and as AGA Southeastern Regional Vice President, completed a three-year term on the AGA National Executive Committee in 2003, and served for two years as chair of the AGA Financial Management Standards Board, and he received the AGA National President's Awards for promotion of the CGFM Certification and his leadership as chair of the Financial Management Standards Board in 2003 and 2006, respectively; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hinton has served as president of the National State Auditor's Association, chair of the association's Single Audit and E-Government Committees, and a member of the executive committee of the association, and in August 2007, he was appointed to the executive committee of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers; and

WHEREAS, in August of 2010, Mr. Hinton received the prestigious AICPA 2010 Outstanding CPA in Government - State Level award, which is made annually by the AICPA for significant and sustained contributions to increased efficiency and effectiveness of governmental operations and the growth and enhancement of the accounting profession; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Russell is the proud father of two children, Wes and Courtney, and the doting grandfather of a beautiful granddaughter, Hannah; and

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia has been fortunate, indeed, to have had such a capable, talented, and dedicated public servant in the Department of Audits, and the members of this body express their gratitude for his many years of service and wish him happiness in retirement.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend Mr. Russell Hinton for his many years of dedicated public service.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Mr. Russell Hinton.