MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Senator(s) McCaughn Senate Resolution 100 (As Adopted by Senate) A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING ASSISTANT SENIOR DEPUTY OF THE MISSISSIPPI STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MELISSA WHITE PARKER ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AFTER 34 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. WHEREAS, Melissa White Parker has announced she will retire from her position as Assistant Senior Deputy of the Mississippi State Department of Health effective after the 2025 Regular Session of the Legislature; and WHEREAS, Melissa White Parker has been employed by the Mississippi State Department of Health since June 1, 1991; and WHEREAS, beginning her career with the Department of Health in June of 1991, Melissa was a Health Physicist in Radiological Health and later transferred to the Bureau of Public Water Supply as a Waterworks Operator Instructor before being promoted to Director of Compliance and Enforcement in 1999. In 2007, Melissa was named Deputy Director of Water Supply, and in 2012 Deputy Director of Environmental Health. In 2016, Melissa became Director of the Office of Licensure and six years later the Office of Health Protection Director, a position she held until assuming her present position as Assistant Senior Deputy in 2024; and WHEREAS, in her various Department of Health roles, Melissa served in many leadership positions of state emergency response operations directly impacting assistance to thousands of Mississippians, including the recoveries from Hurricane Katrina, the April 28, 2014, Louisville EF-4 tornado, the Coronavirus pandemic, and the March 24, 2023, Rolling Fork-Silver City EF-4 and Amory EF-3 tornadoes; and WHEREAS, Melissa's legacy of work to protect and promote the health of all Mississippians on behalf of the Department of Health has been exemplified by sound judgement, firm leadership, steadfast impartiality, consummate work ethic, and superlative customer service, and she has given this most important state agency a statewide reputation for credibility and respect; and WHEREAS, a native of Tupelo, Mississippi, a 1985 graduate of Tupelo High School, a 1990 graduate of the University of Mississippi, with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, and a member of Phi Mu Sorority, the former Melissa White is married to Tony Parker of Morton, Mississippi, and they have two sons, Will and Charlie and a daughter-in-law, Neely; and WHEREAS, we are grateful for Melissa's legacy of service in state government and its impact on past, current, and future generations of Mississippians: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Assistant Senior Deputy of the Mississippi State Department of Health Melissa White Parker on the occasion of her retirement after 34 consecutive years of dedicated public service, and wish her and her husband, Tony, the best in their future endeavors. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Melissa and her family, and be forwarded to the Mississippi State Department of Health, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) McCaughn
# Senate Resolution 100
## (As Adopted by Senate)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING ASSISTANT SENIOR DEPUTY OF THE MISSISSIPPI STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH MELISSA WHITE PARKER ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AFTER 34 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Melissa White Parker has announced she will retire from her position as Assistant Senior Deputy of the Mississippi State Department of Health effective after the 2025 Regular Session of the Legislature; and
WHEREAS, Melissa White Parker has been employed by the Mississippi State Department of Health since June 1, 1991; and
WHEREAS, beginning her career with the Department of Health in June of 1991, Melissa was a Health Physicist in Radiological Health and later transferred to the Bureau of Public Water Supply as a Waterworks Operator Instructor before being promoted to Director of Compliance and Enforcement in 1999. In 2007, Melissa was named Deputy Director of Water Supply, and in 2012 Deputy Director of Environmental Health. In 2016, Melissa became Director of the Office of Licensure and six years later the Office of Health Protection Director, a position she held until assuming her present position as Assistant Senior Deputy in 2024; and
WHEREAS, in her various Department of Health roles, Melissa served in many leadership positions of state emergency response operations directly impacting assistance to thousands of Mississippians, including the recoveries from Hurricane Katrina, the April 28, 2014, Louisville EF-4 tornado, the Coronavirus pandemic, and the March 24, 2023, Rolling Fork-Silver City EF-4 and Amory EF-3 tornadoes; and
WHEREAS, Melissa's legacy of work to protect and promote the health of all Mississippians on behalf of the Department of Health has been exemplified by sound judgement, firm leadership, steadfast impartiality, consummate work ethic, and superlative customer service, and she has given this most important state agency a statewide reputation for credibility and respect; and
WHEREAS, a native of Tupelo, Mississippi, a 1985 graduate of Tupelo High School, a 1990 graduate of the University of Mississippi, with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, and a member of Phi Mu Sorority, the former Melissa White is married to Tony Parker of Morton, Mississippi, and they have two sons, Will and Charlie and a daughter-in-law, Neely; and
WHEREAS, we are grateful for Melissa's legacy of service in state government and its impact on past, current, and future generations of Mississippians:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Assistant Senior Deputy of the Mississippi State Department of Health Melissa White Parker on the occasion of her retirement after 34 consecutive years of dedicated public service, and wish her and her husband, Tony, the best in their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Melissa and her family, and be forwarded to the Mississippi State Department of Health, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.