House Concurrent Resolution 80

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND MERITORIOUS LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE OF MR. EDWIN C. LEGRAND III, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH.

WHEREAS, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health and exceptional public servant, Mr. Edwin C. LeGrand III, retired on June 30, 2014, after a remarkably distinguished career of exemplary leadership and service to the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, in 1974, while Mr. LeGrand, a graduate of the Stennis Institute of Government, was studying to receive his bachelor of science and master's degrees from the University of Mississippi, he began his 40-year career with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health as a direct care worker at the North Mississippi Regional Center (NMRC) in Oxford, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, while working at NMRC, Mr. LeGrand tirelessly served in many capacities, including program director, school principal, personnel director/assistant director and director of the education department; and

WHEREAS, from 1982-1995, Mr. LeGrand imparted cardinal guidance regarding intellectual and developmental disabilities as the Director of the Hudspeth Regional Center, which is a licensed Intermediate Care Program at Whitfield, Mississippi, that provides twenty-four hour care and quality services to individuals with intellectual disabilities; and

WHEREAS, prior to his appointment as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, the state benefitted greatly and enjoyed the hard work and dedication of Mr. LeGrand while he served for six years as the Director of the Bureau of Mental Retardation and also while he served for four years as the Deputy Director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health; and

WHEREAS, during Mr. LeGrand's service as Executive Director from January 1, 2007 until June 30, 2014, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health flourished exponentially as he focused on expanding community-based services and concentrating on a recovery-oriented system of care; and

WHEREAS, under Mr. LeGrand's leadership, the Mississippi Department of Mental Health improved access to crisis stabilization services, which has enabled individuals to receive services on a voluntary basis before they decompensate to the point of meeting commitment criteria; and

WHEREAS, utilizing the invaluable expertise he learned during his tenure at the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, Mr. LeGrand ardently devoted his stamina towards breaking down barriers and increasing the public's understanding that mental health is an essential part of overall health, and he constantly reminded Mississippians to seek treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues as urgently as they would seek treatment for other health conditions; and

WHEREAS, the copious amount of knowledge Mr. LeGrand possesses on mental health is evidenced by the numerous professional licenses and certifications he has earned, including: Certified Public Manager; Licensed Nursing Home Administrator; Licensed Mental Health/Mental Retardation Administrator; Certified Mental Retardation Therapist; and Certified Mental Health Therapist; and

WHEREAS, when Mr. LeGrand is not diligently using his wisdom to advance the great State of Mississippi, he is an active member of the Mississippi Certified Public Managers Society, the Mississippi Chapter of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Mississippi Chapter of the Association of Mental Health Administrators; and

WHEREAS, Mr. LeGrand also currently serves on the State Rehabilitation Board and the Advisory Board for Mississippi's Certified Public Managers Program, and he was elected by his colleagues in state government three times as the State Agency Representative on the Board of the Mississippi Public Employees' Retirement System; and

WHEREAS, Mr. LeGrand is married to Shelly LeGrand, who has been a pillar of support to him throughout their marriage; and

WHEREAS, Mr. LeGrand was an exemplary public servant to the Magnolia State as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, and his knowledge, skill and strenuous laboriousness will be dearly missed by all of his colleagues and others who were lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with him and experience his greatness; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the steadfast devotion to the betterment of Mississippi and honor the zealous vow of impeccable public service that Mr. Edwin C. LeGrand III, bestowed upon the citizens of Mississippi as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the distinguished career and meritorious leadership and service of Mr. Edwin C. LeGrand III, upon the occasion of his retirement as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health and extend to him most sincere wishes for continued success and joy in the lighter days ahead.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Edwin C. LeGrand III, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.