Bill Text: MS HR19 | 2023 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Mark McAndrews; commend upon his retirement as port director of Port of Pascagoula.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-01-25 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR19 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2023-HR19-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Barton
House Resolution 19
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MR. MARK MCANDREWS UPON THE SPECIAL OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE PORT OF PASCAGOULA AND FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP.
WHEREAS, Mr. Mark McAndrews is being honored upon the special occasion of his retirement as port director of the Port of Pascagoula, which is the largest seaport in the Magnolia State, after 23 years of leadership with the port; and
WHEREAS, in addition to Mr. McAndrews' service with the port, he has an overall maritime career that extends over 40 years that involved public and private sector experience, including stevedoring and maritime terminals, marine operations and public port administration; and
WHEREAS, knowing the importance of earning an education, Mr. McAndrews earned a bachelor's degree in marine transportation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and he is a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed Merchant Marine Officer and a retired Captain in the Navy Reserve, all of which speaks volumes of his service to this great country; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McAndrews has been at the helm of the Port of Pascagoula since 2001, and during his tenure as leader, he has brought the port through many changes, such as in his first year at the port, after the 9/11 attack, the country's security protocol was implemented quickly and effectively at the port, and also during this time, the old grain elevator site was demolished and the new South Terminal facility was developed for new maritime business, all activities which spoke to his impeccable leadership skills; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, just four years after Mr. McAndrews became director of the port, Hurricane Katrina devasted much of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and as such, the port suffered over $25 million in damages, and he oversaw all the work necessary to get the port back up and running in short order; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McAndrews, as one who faces any challenge head on, while the port repairs were occurring, was designated as the project manager for Jackson County, Mississippi, for tens of millions of dollars for several Katrina Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects for Ingalls, Signet Maritime, Signal International, and VT Halter Marine and with his superb oversight, these restoration and improvement projects were accomplished, befitting the people of Jackson County; and
WHEREAS, in addition to multi-tasking and overseeing tens of millions of dollars for projects, Mr. McAndrews brought about the $20 million TIGER project, which improved the rail system at the Port's Bayou Casotte facility, and these rails now bring in the wood pellets manufactured and shipped from Enviva's Lucedale plant, and through sales of land from the port, developments in the Sunplex Light Industrial Park continue to bring jobs and income; and
WHEREAS, one of Mr. McAndrews' newest accomplishments is the notice to proceed issued by the United States Maritime Administration to layberth two of their ships at Singing River Island, which is managed by the port for the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, in addition to being a champion of the Port of Pascagoula, Mr. McAndrews is active in several organizations such as being a member of the Executive Committee of the Mississippi Coast Foreign Trade Zone and as a member of the Board of Directors for Mississippi Ports Council, and he also served as a past chairman of the Gulf Ports Association of the Americas and the Mississippi Intermodal Council as well as a past chairman of the Board of the American Association of Port Authorities, an organization that represents over 130 public port authorities in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend and honor great leaders of this state such as Mr. McAndrews, whose over 20 years of selfless service at the Port of Pascagoula will serve as a role model for future generations to come:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mr. Mark McAndrews upon the special occasion of his retirement as port director of the Port of Pascagoula, and wish him continued success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Mark McAndrews, the Port of Pascagoula and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
