Bill Text: MS HC93 | 2013 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Dr. Andy Mullins; commend on retirement after lifelong career dedicated to improving education.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2013-04-05 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC93 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-HC93-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: The Entire Membership
House Concurrent Resolution 93
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. ANDY MULLINS, LONGTIME EDUCATION ADVISER TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, Dr. Andrew P. Mullins, Jr., a well-known and highly respected teacher, author, mentor, adviser and education advocate who has tirelessly dedicated his entire career of more than 40 years to improving K-12 and higher education in the State of Mississippi, has announced his intention to retire on June 30, 2013, from his position as chief of staff for University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones; and
WHEREAS, originally from the small town of Macon, Mississippi, Andy Mullins, a graduate of Noxubee County High School, earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from Millsaps College and a master's degree from Mississippi College before returning to school and being awarded a Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Mississippi in 1992; and
WHEREAS, Andy Mullins's remarkable career in education was launched in the early 70s with an eight-year stint at St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Jackson, where he taught several high school history courses and worked as an assistant headmaster; and
WHEREAS, during his time at St. Andrew's, Andy Mullins began to cultivate relationships that later would lead him on a long path of public service with some of Mississippi's most notable leaders, including a growing friendship with soon-to-be-elected Governor William Winter, who subsequently tapped Andy to join his staff as a special assistant to the Governor; and
WHEREAS, considered by Governor Winter to be, "one of the most creative and visionary teachers and public servants I have ever known," Andy Mullins, a key member of Winter's "Boys of Spring" education dream team, played a pivotal role in every phase of developing and securing passage of Governor Winter's signature work, the landmark Education Reform Act of 1982; and
WHEREAS, after William Winter's term ended, Andy Mullins was again hired to serve as a special assistant to the governor, this time by Winter's successor, Governor Bill Allain, who assigned Andy with the primary task of working with the newly appointed State Board of Education; and
WHEREAS, in 1985, Andy Mullins, having an unparalleled ability to build relationships with state policymakers and an impeccable reputation in the Capitol, changed venues and went to work in the office of Mississippi's first appointed State Superintendent of Public Education, where ultimately as a special assistant to three state superintendents, Andy continued to significantly influence education policy and its successful implementation; and
WHEREAS, highly sought after as an extraordinary visionary with untiring commitment and boundless ability, Andy Mullins, in a 1994 move that afforded him an opportunity to directly impact events in higher education as well as in the K-12 arena, went to work in the Office of the Chancellor at the University of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, while Ole Miss experienced phenomenal growth in its student population and international academic reputation over the years Andy Mullins worked closely, yet often behind the scenes, with three different chancellors, the high point of his nearly two decades on the Oxford campus was the first presidential debate of 2008 between then--United States Senator Barack Obama and United States Senator John McCain, an event that former Chancellor Robert Khayat insists, "was a resounding success for Ole Miss" because of Andy Mullins's leadership in an undertaking that Chancellor Khayat considered to be, "almost a superhuman effort"; and
WHEREAS, throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Andy Mullins has been an invaluable source of wisdom to all who have sought his sound advice, and his role, ranging from trusted adviser to the highest decision makers whose policies shape the overall direction of education in the State of Mississippi to mentor to the young education major studying to be the teacher who will one day make a difference in a child's life, has immeasurably influenced the lives of untold Mississippians; and
WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi is fortunate in that although Dr. Mullins will be retiring from his current position, his positive impact on the education of children throughout the state will continue as he assumes a position teaching graduate students in the Ole Miss School of Education and leading the Mississippi Teacher Corps, an organization he cofounded in 1989 which has since trained and placed more than 500 teachers in school districts across the Delta and north Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, as Dr. Andy Mullins prepares to retire from his Ole Miss chancellor's office chief of staff position this year, it is most appropriate that this Legislature respectfully acknowledge his significant contributions and unwavering commitment to the advancement of public education which, by giving all Mississippians the chance to be successful through improved educational opportunities, has greatly benefited not only the individual lives of many, but the entire State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Dr. Andrew P. Mullins, Jr., on the occasion of his retirement as chief of staff from the Office of the Chancellor at the University of Mississippi and extend to our friend Andy our heartiest wishes for a long and healthy retirement marked by continued success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Andrew P. Mullins, Jr., the Office of the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and members of the Capitol Press Corps.
