Senate Concurrent Resolution 677

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MR. GEORGE EDWARDS FOR HIS COMMITTED DEDICATION TO THE MISSISSIPPI STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC CONTRACTORS AND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

WHEREAS, George Edwards, a resident of Brandon, Mississippi, has dedicated much of his life to the construction industry; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Edwards was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. He graduated from Central High School and attended Hinds Community College and Millsaps College; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Edwards was first appointed to serve as a member of the Mississippi State Board of Public Contractors representing residential builders in 2003. In 2006, he became Chairman of the

Residential Standing Committee; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Edwards has been involved in the construction industry since 1960. He is the President of H & E Builders, Inc., Secretary/Treasurer of Hamilton and Edwards, Inc., and Vice President of Hidden Hills, Inc. Since beginning his businesses, Mr. Edwards has developed subdivisions in Harrison and Rankin Counties as well as having built two apartment projects and one of the first condominium projects on the Mississippi Coast. He has contributed to economic growth and provided jobs, as well as added to the tax base in areas where he has built more than 2,000 homes; and

WHEREAS, as a member of the home-building industry, Mr. Edward's great sense of commitment and pride can be seen in all of his projects. He has proven to be an asset to the industry in

helping provide the American dream of homeownership for many families. As a loyal member to the Home Builders Association he has helped many people along the way through his open ears and ready smile. He has supported the home-building industry on local, state and national levels. Mr. Edwards served as an active member of the Home Builders Association of the Mississippi Gulf Coast for many years and currently is an active member of the Home Builders Association of Jackson. He has made many trips to Washington, D.C., spending his time and money to make sure that our leaders from Mississippi fought hard for housing rights; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Edwards has been involved in many organizations in his community including serving as a member of the Rankin County Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He is a 32nd Degree

Scottish Rite Mason and has sponsored little league teams as well as Friends of the Children's Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Edwards has been the recipient of many honors, including being chosen as the Home Builder of the Year in 2003 by the Home Builders Association of Jackson and the 2003 Builder Member of the Year by the Home Builders Association of Mississippi. He was also named Rotarian of the Year in 2003. He was inducted into the Mississippi Housing Hall of Fame in 2004; and

WHEREAS, in his role as a board member and Chairman of the Residential Standing Committee, he was at the forefront of the board's residential actions following Hurricane Katrina, one of this nation's single worst disasters; and

WHEREAS, he has served faithfully and dutifully to God and the State of Mississippi as he assisted in the transformation of a small agency into its present role as the licensing and regulatory arm of Mississippi's construction industry administering examinations for licensure, investigating complaints, and providing consumer education and awareness to protect Mississippians against the risks of potential fraud and abuse from unscrupulous and unlicensed contractors who prey on our citizenry during times of natural disasters; and

WHEREAS, as a member of the board, Mr. Edwards sought disciplinary actions and civil penalties during his tenure totaling over 1,500 violations resulting in over $2.5 Million recovered by the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, through his leadership with others on the board, he proved to be a vigilant steward of these fines, which were used to enhance educational opportunities through grants to such organizations and institutions as the Mississippi Construction Education Foundation, the Mississippi State School of Engineering and Construction Technology, the University of Southern Mississippi's Construction Management Degree Program, the Mississippi National Guard Youth Challenge Program, the Hinds Community College Construction Education Program and others; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding leader, dedicated husband, devoted father and grandfather, who has contributed significantly to the construction industry, the community, the State of Mississippi, and the United States of America as a model of hard work and perseverance:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend George Edwards for his committed dedication to the health, safety and welfare of Mississippi's construction industry and express sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mr. Edwards, forwarded to the State Board of Public Contractors, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.