Bill Text: MS HR109 | 2015 | Regular Session | Engrossed

Mississippi House Resolution 109 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Mrs. Willa Dean Watkins; commend upon the occasion of her retirement.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2015-03-31 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR109 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2015-HR109-Engrossed.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2015 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Hood

House Resolution 109

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING MRS. WILLA DEAN WATKINS UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM THE WORKFORCE AFTER A LIFETIME OF DEDICATED SERVICE AND MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Willa Dean Watkins is retiring at the end of March 2015, from Taylor Machine Works after 42 years of loyal service to the company and a lifetime of diligent hard work for a number of noteworthy organizations and associations; and

WHEREAS, throughout her career in the workforce, Mrs. Watkins has held many titles and worked for many different employers, but one constant has been that wherever she worked, Mrs. Watkins always made a positive impact and reached whatever goal she set for herself; and

WHEREAS, in addition to her position at Taylor Machine Works, Mrs. Watkins currently serves on the Board of Directors of the State of Mississippi Individual Self-Insured Workers Compensation Guaranty Fund, which was established by the Legislature to ensure assessments to employers are adequate to meet statutory requirements; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Watkins, an invaluable longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Association of Self-Insurers (MASI), served as President of the board from 2008-2009 and received the designation as a workers compensation professional from MASI and the first Friends of MASI award; and

WHEREAS, the second recipient of the Sam Cox Spirit Award for her contributions to the workers compensation industry, Mrs. Watkins serves on the Advisory Committee to the Mississippi Workers Compensation Committee, which provides advice from experts in the field to the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commissioners; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Watkins, a member of the Golden Triangle Human Resources Association, earned the association's certification as a professional in human resources and served as its president in 2002; and

WHEREAS, having realized that there are still strides to be made regarding women's roles in the workforce, Mrs. Watkins was a member of the Business and Professional Women's Association for many years and served as president of the Louisville association and as the state president from 2002 through 2003; and

WHEREAS, a steadfast advocate for children's care, Mrs. Watkins also served on the Board of Directors for Reach Out Services in Columbus, Mississippi, which provides services for abused and neglected children in the area; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Watkins, a firm believer in education, served as chairman of the group which organized PTA in the Louisville Public Schools and was an active member of the school systems' Drop Out Prevention program; and

WHEREAS, in addition to her many professional and community activities, Mrs. Watkins is a member of the Red Hills Art Foundation and is highly supportive of the Winston County Library as a member of the Friends of the Library; and

WHEREAS, in 2003, Mrs. Watkins was one of nine women throughout the state who were presented with the prestigious Governor's Power of One Award, which is given in recognition of women throughout the state who have made a difference both personally and professionally in the lives of others; and

WHEREAS, an avid participant in the political process, Mrs. Watkins is presently serving as President of the Winston County Republican Women and was recently elected Chair of the Winston County Republican Party; and

WHEREAS, throughout the years, Mrs. Watkins has served in a variety of positions in different occupations, including: banking; the Georgia Crime Lab; Secretary to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army in Hawaii; and working for U.S. General Pence, who was a Lt. Colonel and Commander of the all Japanese Army during World War II; and

WHEREAS, one of the many accomplishments that Mrs. Watkins is particularly proud of is the establishment of an Employee Assistance Program, which over the past 24 years has resulted in over 50 employees successfully completing inpatient substance abuse treatment; and

WHEREAS, before accomplishing her many achievements in the workforce, Mrs. Watkins was an honor student at Griffin High School and a star athlete, having been installed in the Griffin Hall of Fame as a basketball player and offered an opportunity to play semi-pro basketball with the Atlanta Blues; and

WHEREAS, as she prepares to say goodbye to her workplace family at Taylor Machine Works, Mrs. Watkins is looking forward to enjoying her retirement by practicing Tai Chi, attending antique auctions, reading and spending time with her two children, Rick and Ken, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend hard working citizens of this state, such as Mrs. Willa Dean Watkins, whose unparalleled work ethic and concern for others has helped improve the lives of countless individuals in her community and throughout our state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend the long and distinguished career of Mrs. Willa Dean Watkins upon the occasion of her retirement and extend best wishes for many years of good health, peace and much happiness in the lighter years of her retirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Willa Dean Watkins, Taylor Machine Works and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.