MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2011 1st Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: The Entire Membership

House Resolution 5

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION HONORING REPRESENTATIVE MARY ANN STEVENS FOR HER LEGISLATIVE LEGACY AND CONGRATULATING HER UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, the honorable and distinguished Representative Mary Ann Stevens will retire from the Mississippi House of Representatives after having dedicated 31 consecutive years of extraordinary service to the people of this state; and

     WHEREAS, a lifelong native of West, Mississippi, and graduate of West High School, she developed her resources and talents as a real estate holder and banker, and went on to marry the love of her life, A.J. Stevens III, and create a blessed family with daughter, Elizabeth Ann; and

     WHEREAS, having made quite an impression on her fellow citizens with her warm and congenial nature, Representative Stevens delved into the realm of politics when she successfully sought the post of Alderman in the Town of West, which opened the door for her to obtain the mayor's post shortly thereafter; and

     WHEREAS, driven by her passion for the plight of others and passion for carrying on the banner of public service that she commenced and practiced in municipal politics, Mary Ann Stevens decided to bear the mantle of public service on a larger scale by seeking a legislative seat, and came to serve in the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1981 in representation of House District 48; and

     WHEREAS, during her tenure as a legislator she has served on the following committees:  Appropriations, Executive Contingent Fund, Fees and Salaries of Public Officers, Judiciary A, Judiciary En Banc, PEER, Municipalities, and Insurance, a committee she served as chairperson for several years under the immediate former Speaker of the House, Tim Ford; and

     WHEREAS, not one to limit her community involvement to the Legislature, Representative Stevens has always been active in her community and dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens, as evidenced by her service as a member of the North Central Planning and Development Board, Mississippi Women's Club, Mississippi Municipal Association, West Garden Club and West Primary Health Care Clinic; and

     WHEREAS, Representative Mary Ann Stevens has led and continues to lead a life of bravery in the face of challenge, sincerity in the face of apathy and honesty in the presence of deceit; and

     WHEREAS, through it all, this extraordinary person who lives an extraordinary life has remained a phenomenal woman of integrity who seeks to improve the lives of others through positive example and hard work; and

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor the legacy of one of our own, who has represented her district, this body and the people of this great state with honor and integrity:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby honor the legislative legacy of Representative Mary Ann Stevens, express gratitude for her many years of dedicated service to the people of the State of Mississippi and congratulate her upon her retirement from the Mississippi House of Representatives.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Representative Stevens and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.