Bill Text: MS HR26 | 2016 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Terry Latham; commend service upon retirement as Director of Hope Haven Children's Services.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2016-02-25 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR26 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-HR26-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Baria
House Resolution 26
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND MERITORIOUS LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE OF MR. TERRY LATHAM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS THE DIRECTOR OF HOPE HAVEN CHILDREN'S SERVICES.
WHEREAS, Terry Latham, the Director of Hope Haven Children's Services and an exceptional person, retired on December 31, 2015, after almost 20 years of service to the community organization created to help abused and neglected children in Hancock County, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, prior to becoming Hope Haven's Director, Mr. Latham had retired from the United States Navy and worked for a Vietnam Veterans' program at the University of Mississippi, never planning to work so intensely with abused children, but all of those plans changed in 1995 when he met a group of people who wanted to open a shelter for their charity, Hope Haven; and
WHEREAS, the Hope Haven volunteers followed Mr. Latham's advice to apply for a state grant to fund the shelter, and a few months later, the beginning stages of the shelter were in place, as the founders had secured $258,000.00 in state grant money; and
WHEREAS, the founders pleaded with Mr. Latham to serve as the director of the program because he had a master's degree and experience in the social service field, and while Mr. Latham was reluctant at first, he eventually accepted the position; and
WHEREAS, in 1996, when Mr. Latham, who has been the organization's only director, was driving away from the shelter he helped build and saw the face of the shelter's first child, a severely abused 4-year-old boy, pressed against the screen door, looking out into the world that had treated him so poorly in just a few short years with sad and confused eyes, he was overcome with emotion, gushing tears and the realization that his life had a new purpose; and
WHEREAS, with 3,000 children helped in its first year, Hope Haven Children's Services took the majority of Mr. Latham's time and energy, despite the meager salary of $26,000.00, but the community reached out to lend a helping hand and volunteer in any way they could, because the people of Waveland could actually see the difference the organization was making in the lives of the children; and
WHEREAS, the most vital lesson that Mr. Latham learned during his tenure at Hope Haven Children's Services was the importance of early intervention, and that if a child can be taken away from a horrendous situation sooner rather than later, he or she will have a better chance of forgetting the abuse and living a normal and happy life; and
WHEREAS, one of the most memorable experiences for Mr. Latham was the day he witnessed that sad 4-year-old little boy get dressed in a coat and tie, go to court as a ward of the state, take part in an adoption proceeding and leave with a family, finally the object of a mom and dad's unconditional love, not their abuse; and
WHEREAS, the citizens and children of Mississippi benefitted exponentially from the leadership and care that Mr. Latham provided as the director of Hope Haven Children's Services for almost 20 years, and his knowledge, skill and compassion will be dearly missed by all of his colleagues and others who were fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him and experience his greatness; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the steadfast devotion to the betterment of Mississippi's youth and honor the zealous commitment to remarkable social service that Mr. Terry Latham bestowed upon the children of Mississippi as the Director of Hope Haven Children's Services:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the distinguished career and meritorious leadership and service of Mr. Terry Latham upon the occasion of his retirement as the Director of Hope Haven Children's Services and extend to him our 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. Terry Latham and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
