ENROLLED SENATE
RESOLUTION NO. 20	By:	Ivester, Adelson, Aldridge, Anderson, Ballenger, Barrington, Bass, Bingman, Branan, Brogdon, Brown, Burrage, Coates, Coffee, Corn, Crain, Crutchfield, Easley, Eason McIntyre, Ellis, Ford, Garrison, Gumm, Halligan, Johnson (Constance), Johnson (Mike), Jolley, Justice, Lamb, Laster, Leftwich, Lerblance, Marlatt, Mazzei, Myers, Newberry, Nichols, Paddack, Reynolds, Rice, Russell, Schulz, Sparks, Stanislawski, Sweeden, Sykes, Wilson and Wyrick

A Resolution honoring the public career of Lewis McGee; wishing him the best on the occasion of his retirement; and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, Lewis McGee began his career with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections on August 1, 1975.  He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1984 and to Captain on November 1, 1986.  On August 1, 1999, he was promoted to the Chief of Security of the Mack Alford Correctional Center in Stringtown, Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, on May 13, 1988, there was unrest at the Mack Alford Correctional Center.  Captain Lewis McGee, shift supervisor, attempted to defuse the disturbance by transporting the troublemakers to another facility.  A total of eight officers, including Captain McGee, were taken hostage by about 20 inmates.  Captain McGee’s actions during negotiations contributed to the successful and safe release of all the hostages after a total of three tension-filled days; and

WHEREAS, Lewis McGee then toured other state correctional facilities throughout the nation to identify offender housing that would provide the maximum amount of safety for both officers and offenders.  He eventually found a medium security facility in Chillicothe, Ohio, that met his criteria.  Captain McGee convinced the Oklahoma Department of Corrections that this design would protect both officers and offenders.  Funding was requested and approved to build two such housing units; and

WHEREAS, Lewis McGee is known throughout the corrections community for his emphasis on policy instruction and compliance with facility policy and procedure.  All members of his staff have been instilled with the importance of policy compliance to safeguard the public, correctional employees, and offenders.  Lewis McGee is known as a leader who cared for his employees and provided resources for them to complete their mission; and

WHEREAS, Chief Lewis McGee is retiring from a highly successful career in corrections.  Acting as an inspiration to all correctional officers in the state, Lewis McGee will be missed but not forgotten.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 52ND OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate honors the public career of Chief of Security for the Mack Alford Correctional Center, Lewis McGee, and praises his philosophy of following policy and procedure to protect the public, employees, and inmates.

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate wishes Lewis McGee the very best upon the occasion of his retirement from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the Chief of Security for the Mack Alford Correctional Center, Lewis McGee.

Adopted by the Senate the 20th day of May, 2009.

	
Presiding Officer of the Senate