Bill Text: MS SC602 | 2015 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Pay tribute to Hobson Waits for leadership and civic contributions to Extension Service 4-H Program and other youth programs in our state.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-2)
Status: (Passed) 2015-03-11 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC602 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2015-SC602-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Lee, Butler (38th), Carmichael, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Stone
Senate Concurrent Resolution 602
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO HOBSON WAITS FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND CIVIC ENERGY TO THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE 4-H PROGRAM AND OTHER YOUTH-SERVING PROGRAMS OF OUR STATE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE 4-H CLUB FOUNDATION OF MISSISSIPPI, INC.
WHEREAS, Hobson Waits has built an important legacy of leadership and dedication to the growth and efficiency of agriculture, rural youth and families in the State of Mississippi, and has particularly contributed to the development of the Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H Program; and
WHEREAS, Hobson's roots are anchored in the depths of Mississippi's Delta dirt where he was raised in the farming community of Leland, in Washington County, Mississippi, where he grew up hunting, fishing, working in the fields, and being a member of the Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H Program. He graduated from the University of Mississippi and began farming and obtaining a Master's degree in School Administration from Delta State University. He began his career teaching, coaching and serving as an elementary school Principal. In 1969, he was employed by the Electric Power Associations of Mississippi (EPA) and was named Executive Vice President and CEO in 1983 and retained that position until his retirement in January 2006. In 2012, Hobson received the prestigious President's Award given by the National Rural Electric Power Association; and
WHEREAS, Hobson's contributions have brought electric power to rural life, and he has proved to be a perpetual and potent partner of the Mississippi State University Extension Service. There are few who claim any association with rural Mississippi that does not owe in some part a note of appreciation to this "Extension Service Friend." He has worked tirelessly with the Mississippi Council of Cooperatives (AAL), the Mississippi Economic Council, the Mississippi Rural Health Association, and with numerous youth service organizations, most notably the Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H Program, the Mississippi 4-H Advisory Council and The 4-H Club Foundation of Mississippi, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Hobson's passion was his devotion and energy to many youth-serving organizations and programs, none more so than to 4-H. For over 35 years, he served on the Mississippi 4-H Advisory Council as a member and President, and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for The 4-H Club Foundation of Mississippi, Inc. He has been not only a personal supporter with his time and money, but he has been among its strongest advocates, using his good name and position to advance both the cause and the support of the Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H Program. Among his more notable achievements through these years of Extension 4-H youth support are:
• Served as a 4-H volunteer leader for many years taking youth to the 4-H National Congress in Chicago, Illinois, under the sponsorship of the EPAs of Mississippi;
• As Executive Vice President and CEO of Mississippi EPA, and a leader of the Mississippi Council of Cooperatives, Hobson led in securing thousands of dollars each year for the 4-H Cooperative Business Conference and Tour;
• Development of 4-H Legislative Day that brings our best youth to the Capitol, directly involving them with their legislators and governmental officials proving substantially important to 4-H youth efforts and to legislative support for the Mississippi State University Extension Service as a whole;
• The largest expansion of the Foundation's capital holdings with the construction of a 4-H Learning Center and Museum located on the grounds of the Agriculture Museum in Jackson and the development of 63 acres of property at West Point, Mississippi, which now houses a regional therapeutic riding center and livestock arena, a statewide ATV safety training center, an environmental education center and a regional shooting sports range;
• A growth rate of over 100% in the Foundation's total financial holdings including development of the Foundation's largest endowment donors; and
• Development and leadership of the Mississippi 4-H Golf Classic; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, his own personal support lies with his wife, Mary Louise; his two daughters; and his grandchildren. It is those he shared his daily life with at work and in his community that he acknowledges as his closest of friends; and
WHEREAS, Hobson was nominated by his peers and accepted into the very prestigious National 4-H Hall of Fame in 2007; and it is with great pride that we commend and cherish fondly the enormous civic energy of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and pay tribute to Hobson Waits for his leadership and civic energy to 4-H and other youth-serving programs of our state on the occasion of his retirement as Chairman of the Board of Trustees or The 4-H Club Foundation of Mississippi, Inc., and extend our best wishes to Hobson and his family on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Hobson Waits and his family, forwarded to the Mississippi State University Extension Service, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
