Phil Bryant Transition

PHIL BRYANT SWORN IN AS THE 64TH GOVERNOR OF MISSISSIPPI

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:32:54 +0000

Governor Bryant offers message of Mississippians “Rising Together” in  Inauguration Day speech 

JACKSON – Phil Bryant was sworn in today inside the House Chamber at the State Capitol as the 64th Governor of Mississippi. The ceremony was moved indoors due to inclement weather.

In his Inaugural address he emphasized the message of Mississippians “rising together”.

“We must dedicate ourselves to the belief that we may fall separately, but we will surely rise together,” Bryant said in today’s speech. “And if we are to rise together, we must do so with the inherent characteristics of Mississippi. We are a people of character who value hard work and treasure loyalty to our families, state and country.”    

Governor Bryant defined four key objectives for his administration in today’s speech:

• Creating jobs through expanding Mississippi’s health care and energy sectors;
• Improving the state’s education system;
• Reducing the teenage pregnancy rate;
• Responsibly restructuring Mississippi’s budget system.   

“Mississippi’s budget process is broken and must be fixed,” Bryant said. “We will work smarter than our sister states, make spending transparent and design budgets based on performance and not politics.”   

The event was a joint session of the Legislature with the new Speaker, Philip Gunn,
calling to order and new Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves presiding. The Inauguration
featured performances by the Mississippi Mass Choir, Mississippi Boychoir, Guy Hovis and the Mississippi National Guard Band.

Governor Bryant was joined at the Inauguration Ceremony by his wife, Deborah, and children, Patrick and Katie.

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RISING TOGETHER
Inaugural Address of Governor Phil Bryant
January 10, 2012

Thank you, Mr. Lt. Governor. I look forward to our term of service together. Deborah and I are so proud to work with you and Elee in this crowded hour.

Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice, for your work in the Judiciary and for guiding me through the oath of office. Governor Barbour, Senator Wicker, Congressmen Harper, Nunnelee and Palazzo, Speaker Gunn, Senate and House members, and all elected officials, I offer a warm welcome with profound gratitude for your presence here today.

I am joined on this delightful occasion by my family, both immediate and extended. Holding my Grandmother’s Bible for my oath is the one who has supported my dreams and challenges for thirty-five years. The person who has held my heart in her hands: my wonderful and patient wife, and our new First Lady, Deborah. Also here are my two children, Katie and Patrick, who are the light of my life, and Stephen who will soon join our family as Katie’s husband. I am so grateful for God’s great gift of such a beloved family.

My two older brothers are by my side today as they have been since my earliest memory. Larry, the oldest, set the example with his passion for success and dedication to achievement. Chuck, the middle child, has been the balance between hard work and a love for life. I am here today because I stood on their shoulders.

Our parents, Dewey and Estelle, would have been equally proud of all their children today. Our mother was the lighthouse that would bring us home when we lost our way. They were simply the best part of our lives, and we loved them with all our hearts.

To my mother-in-law, Doris Hays, I extend heartfelt thanks for your acceptance and willingness to allow your daughter to marry a young deputy sheriff so many years ago. I know you all, both Hayses and Applewhites, must be equally surprised. You are my family, and my world would have been empty without your love and support.

To former Speaker Billy McCoy, I am honored by your presence today and thankful for our years of service together. I ask for God’s blessing upon you and yours. To newly elected Speaker Philip Gunn, I extend a hearty congratulation. I look forward to our time together and your great service to the citizens of our beloved Mississippi.

And I want to give a very special “thank you” to Governor Barbour and Marsha for your leadership and service. Mississippians will long remember and appreciate your dedication and sacrifice. I think I can speak for all Mississippians when I say: “Well done our true and faithful servants.”

In addition to my parents, there are others I wish could be here today. I would have enjoyed having Governor and Mrs. Fordice here. Pat would have been gracious with her comments, and Kirk would have said: “Keep it short, Phil.”

I was elected to the House of Representatives on the same day Kirk Fordice was elected Governor. I ran for that office after I had a rare opportunity to visit the White House for a meeting with President Ronald Reagan in 1986. Inspired by his admonitions to rise above our own self interests and to stay the course of his conservative revolution, I returned to Mississippi determined to make a difference.

I have been blessed on my journey with some unique perspectives of this wonderful place. I have seen from behind a badge as a deputy sheriff how Mississippi keeps the peace. I have seen from its records as a state auditor how Mississippi spends its money. I have seen from the floor of the Senate as Lt. Governor how Mississippi makes its laws. And at each step along the way I have marveled at our people. I give my sincerest thanks to the incredible people of Mississippi who made today possible. You are all truly amazing in my eyes, which makes my presence here today as your Governor all the more humbling.

Today we start a new administration, one that will reflect upon the success of our past with admiration and respect, while looking for greater achievements in our future. It would be timid and insincere to believe all our problems are solved or our shared potential exhausted. We must dedicate ourselves to the belief that we may fall separately, but we will surely rise together. And if we are to rise together, we must do so with the inherent characteristics of Mississippi. We are a people of character who value hard work and treasure loyalty to our families, state and country. And, as the prophet Isaiah described so long ago, we are a people of faith who “will soar on wings like eagles” because our trust is in the Lord.

With the Lord’s blessing, I want to help the people of Mississippi to be a people of opportunity, and there are four important opportunities that should start our work: every Mississippian should have the opportunity to be gainfully employed right here at home; every Mississippian should have the opportunity to actually learn from the best educational system we can offer; every Mississippian should have the opportunity to be born into a mature, two-parent family; and every Mississippian should have the opportunity to be sure his or her tax dollars are put to proper use.

First, our most important work is making sure that Mississippians have work. Providing job opportunities is critical for Mississippi’s long-term success. And there are two sectors we can foster that have incredible promise to bring more jobs to Mississippi over the next decade: energy and health care.

Mississippi is becoming a center of power – the very power that fuels modern life. Natural gas, bio-fuels, solar power, clean coal technology and tertiary oil recovery are all adding to our position as a leader in the energy economy of the 21st century. Mississippi can not only create thousands of homegrown jobs with an energy economy, but we can help this nation become energy independent while we do it.

Mississippi’s other potential growth sector for enhancement is healthcare. Look around: many of us here are “Baby Boomers.” Whether it is hula hoops, automobiles or housing; we have driven the economy since the 1950’s. We now need additional healthcare. To meet this demand, I have proposed adding 1,000 new physicians by 2025 — knowing that each doctor and the support services surrounding that doctor — bring $2 million into the community in which he or she settles.

To do this, we will complete our new medical school as we plan new medical zones across Mississippi. The thousands of jobs that will be created by this public and private venture is just the beginning. The lives that will be saved, the diseases that could be eradicated and the education of the nation’s finest medical professionals will be transformational. Together, we can enhance the health of our bodies and the health of our economy at the same time.

Governor Barbour and I have had a singular focus on economic development for an important reason: when a Mississippian has a job it changes absolutely everything. A Mississippian with a job doesn’t need public assistance, adds taxes to the state treasury, is an example of responsibility to his or her children, and is more likely to avoid crime, to vote and to participate in a community. State government cannot create jobs, but we can remove as many obstacles as practical to make our state a magnet for the people and companies who do. Every day I am Governor I will make it my job to make sure that more Mississippians have a job of their own.

Second, we must change our discussion of education from one only of dollars and cents to one that makes sense. Early childhood learning, charter schools, classroom redesign and higher qualifying standards for teachers will be our goals.

We must also attack the dropout rate by allowing children to take standard high school classes and workforce learning in community colleges at the same time. A dropout who would otherwise be preordained as a societal failure could be valued as a craftsman with such programs.

And we must re-focus our efforts on the most important factor in education: a child’s ability to read. We know a child who cannot read at a standard level by the fourth grade is almost always destined to failure. We cannot continue to stand-by and allow this failure. The future our children live in will be written, and I want every child in Mississippi to be able to read it.

Third, the epidemic of teenage pregnancy in this state must come to an end. Churches, schools, community organizations and most importantly, families, must realize that the highest teen pregnancy rate in America will eventually cripple our state.

Such a change in a societal norm is possible. Forty years ago many of you here today would be smoking during this ceremony. It was the norm and few would have noticed. Society, however, decided that smoking was harmful and a slow but certain repudiation of the habit began.

A similar repudiation of teen pregnancy must begin throughout Mississippi society. Every church, health care provider, teacher and employer must help in identifying teen pregnancy as an activity more devastating than smoking. Friends, we can no longer turn our heads and pretend the problem doesn’t exist. Teen pregnancy in Mississippi must be reduced if we are to reach our full potential.

And finally, our people need to know that the precious tax dollars they send to Jackson are spent with the upmost care. Mississippi’s budget process is broken and must be fixed. Our state cannot be successful in the 21st Century with a budget system from the 19th Century. Most importantly, it is inefficient at a time when we can ill afford inefficiencies. Instead of measuring outcomes and appropriating for success, our state budgets are set by two deciding factors: what was last year’s budget number and who did you know at the Capitol. This is no way to treat our people’s tax dollars. We will work smarter than our sister states, make spending transparent and design budgets based on performance and not politics.

An appropriation of money will not solve all of our problems, but an appropriation of leadership can. Not just the kind of leadership at the State Capitol, but the kind of leadership that has helped Mississippi endure great challenges.

Friends, Mississippi has endured a Civil War, a Reconstruction, a Great Depression, poverty, racial strife and the worst natural disaster in American history. We have been branded by the rest of the world by these challenges. But the world cannot deny our resilience and perseverance.

From a state that seceded from the Union, we are now home to thousands of U.S. military men and women and some of the most patriotic people in this Union.

From the depths of Delta poverty, we cradled the birth of America’s music — from blues, to country to rock-n-roll.

From the bitter and righteous struggle for Civil Rights, we gave inspirational rise to some of the country’s foremost writers, musicians, artists and leaders.

With each challenge we have, as William Faulkner said, not only endured but prevailed. Our endurance and perseverance has been at its best when the waters have risen around us. Mississippi has become accustomed to rising water. Over the last decade alone, Hurricane Katrina and the Mississippi River have given us historic and painful examples of the waters’ depth.

But there is something we have learned from it. The rising water forced us to higher ground. It forced us to build stronger and better. It made us climb to new heights.

My fellow Mississippians, it is true that in years past our troubles have risen around us like the rising water. But we have persevered, and each time we have climbed to the new perspective of that higher ground.

As we make our way deeper into this new Century, let us rise together. Let us ascend to a place where the troubled waters can no longer touch us — a place where the view of the water is big and wide and beautiful. Let us rise together, Mississippi — and with the guiding hand of God Almighty – let us take that first step up together.

God bless you; God bless Mississippi; and God bless the United States of America.

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INCLEMENT WEATHER MOVES INAUGRATION TO HOUSE CHAMBER

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:05:50 +0000

“Due to the deteriorating weather today, the swearing-in ceremony will now proceed on schedule at 11:00 a.m. inside the chamber of the Mississippi House of Representatives,” said Mick Bullock, Bryant’s director of communications. The safety of the people attending the ceremony is our primary concern and that is the main reason for the change in location. Despite the damp weather, it will not dampen the spirit of the thousands of people joining in this celebration of the inauguration of Mississippi’s 64th Governor, Phil Bryant.”

The Inaugural Ball will continue as scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to midnight at the Jackson Convention Center.

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INAUGURATION TO STAY OUTDOORS; INCLEMENT WEATHER POSTPONES PARADE

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:28:42 +0000

JACKSON – The possibility of heavy rains in the afternoon will postpone the Inaugural Parade, but the actual Inauguration Ceremony will still proceed as planned.

The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. on the South Steps of the Capitol unless the weather deteriorates overnight.

The parade and events surrounding the parade will be postponed to January 21 beginning at 12:00 p.m. The route begins at Amite and State streets and crosses downtown, following State, Capitol, West and Mississippi streets. The Master of Ceremonies will continue to be Marshal Ramsey, Cartoonist for the Clarion Ledger and Radio Host for Supertalk. More details will be available this week.

The Inaugural Ball will continue as scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to midnight at the Jackson Convention Center.

“The Governor-elect is upbeat about the Inaugural activities planned for tomorrow,” said Mick Bullock, Bryant’s Director of Communications. “The man that Gov.-elect Bryant credits for his introduction to politics, former President Ronald Reagan, had to rearrange inaugural activities in 1985 because of bad weather.”

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GOVERNOR-ELECT PHIL BRYANT APPOINTS DIRECTORS AT MULTIPLE STATE AGENCIES

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:12:13 +0000

JACKSON – Governor-elect Phil Bryant today named directors for most state agencies at a 3:30 p.m. press conference in Jackson.

“Effective leaders surround themselves with exceptional people, and today’s announcement will introduce you to some talented individuals who I am happy to have on my team,” Bryant said. “These individuals have the skills, talent and experience needed to help me move Mississippi forward.”

Bryant appointed new directors to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES), Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) and Mississippi Division of Medicaid (MDOM).

Bryant reappointed the agency heads already in place at the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN), Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC), Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration (MDFA), Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) and Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MDPS).

“Among the newly appointed directors are several familiar faces that have served Mississippi well. All of these individuals are well-qualified and will provide ample strategic support and a clear vision to the agencies they’ll serve,” Bryant said.

(more)

Bryant made appointments to the following agencies:

• MBN: Marshall L Fisher, Executive Director
• MDOC: Chris Epps, Commissioner
• MEMA: Robert Latham, Executive Director
• MDES: Mark Henry, Executive Director
• MDEQ: Trudy Fisher, Executive Director
• MDFA: Kevin Upchurch, Executive Director
• MDHS: Rickey Berry, Executive Director
• MDOM: Dr. David Dzielak, Executive Director
• MDMR: Dr. Bill Walker, Executive Director
• MDPS: Albert Santa Cruz, Commissioner

Existing directors will continue their duties and new appointees will assume responsibilities after Bryant is sworn is as Mississippi’s 64th governor.

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Phil Bryant was elected Governor of Mississippi with 62 percent of the vote in November 2011 and will be sworn-in as the state’s 64th Governor on January 10, 2012. He was sworn-in as Mississippi’s 37th Lieutenant Governor on January 10, 2008 after capturing 59% of the vote in the November election. He started his career in public service as a Hinds County Deputy Sheriff and was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives from District 59 in Rankin County in 1992 and re-elected in 1995. Bryant was appointed State Auditor by the late Governor Kirk Fordice and re-elected overwhelmingly in 1999 and without opposition in 2003.

GOVERNOR-ELECT PHIL BRYANT NAMES BARKSDALE TO LEAD STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:51:00 +0000

Jim Barksdale to serve as Interim Executive Director of Mississippi Development Authority

JACKSON – Governor-elect Phil Bryant appointed Jim Barksdale Interim Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority at a 2 p.m. press conference on Jan. 4 in Jackson.

Barksdale, former President and CEO of Netscape Communications Corp., will succeed Leland Speed as chief of the agency that leads Mississippi’s economic development efforts.

“When I campaigned for governor, economic development and job creation were cornerstones of my campaign,” said Gov.-elect Phil Bryant. “This position is so important to my administration that I wanted it to be the first that I announced.”

“Jim’s extensive experience makes him the perfect candidate to play a major role in creating jobs and growing our state’s economy. I look forward to working with him and letting the world know that Mississippi is open for business,” Bryant said.

Barksdale, who currently serves as Chairman of the Board and President of Barksdale Management Corp., will lead MDA in recruiting new businesses to Mississippi and will work to strengthen and expand existing businesses in the state.

(more)

“I am very honored to have the opportunity to serve Mississippi in this capacity,” Barksdale said. “I am confident that we will continue to attract new businesses to our state and will establish Mississippi as an outstanding place to do business.”

Barksdale has served Mississippi by leading Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in his
position as chairman of the Governor’s Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal, an appointment he received from Gov. Haley Barbour. Most recently, Barksdale was appointed chairman of the Mississippi Broadband Connect Coalition.

His career as an entrepreneur includes serving as President and CEO of Netscape Communications Corp. from Jan. 1995 until the company’s merger with America Online in 1999. After the merger, Barksdale joined the Board of Directors for AOL’s parent company Time Warner. Prior to that, he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Federal Express Corp. for more than ten years. Barksdale has held other management positions and has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including induction into the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame.

Barksdale, a Jackson native, is a graduate of Murrah High School in Jackson and the University of Mississippi. Under his guidance in 2000, The Barksdale Foundation funded the Barksdale Reading Institute. More recently, Barksdale and his wife Donna funded the Mississippi Principal Corps, a program designed to change the way school principals are trained.

Barksdale’s appointment marks the first major announcement by Gov.-elect Phil Bryant. Barksdale will serve on an interim basis until a permanent appointment is made. Bryant will be sworn in as Mississippi’s 64th governor at 12 p.m. on Jan. 10.

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Phil Bryant was elected Governor of Mississippi with 62 percent of the vote in November 2011 and will be sworn-in as the state’s 64th Governor on January 10, 2012. He was sworn-in as Mississippi’s 37th Lieutenant Governor on January 10, 2008 after capturing 59 percent of the vote in the November election. He started his career in public service as a Hinds County Deputy Sheriff and was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives from District 59 in Rankin County in 1992 and re-elected in 1995. Bryant was appointed State Auditor by the late Governor Kirk Fordice and re-elected overwhelmingly in 1999 and without opposition in 2003.

BRYANT RELEASES INAUGURATION SCHEDULE

admin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:14:27 +0000

Mississippians invited to attend events Sunday, Tuesday

JACKSON – Mississippians can expect a bustling capital city next week, as events are planned for the inauguration of Gov.-elect Phil Bryant, Mississippi’s 64th governor.

“We have some exciting activities planned for the Inauguration, and we want to invite all Mississippians to attend and be a part of this celebration,” Bryant said. “I am ready to take the Oath of Office and continue working to improve our great state. The theme of this inauguration is ‘Rising Together,’ and I am hopeful state leaders will work together for a fruitful and productive year in Mississippi.”

Events begin 6 p.m. Sunday with the Inaugural Worship Service at Galloway United Methodist Church on N. Congress Street. On Tuesday, the Swearing-In Ceremony is set for 11 a.m. on the South Steps of the Capitol. The Mississippi Rising Inaugural Parade follows at 2 p.m., and the Inaugural Ball begins at 7:30 p.m.

These events are open to the public. The worship service, swearing-in ceremony and parade are free. Tickets can be purchased for the ball at www.risingtogether.ms.

Inaugural schedule:

Sunday Jan. 8, 2012

Inaugural Worship Service
When: 6-7 p.m.
Where: Galloway United Methodist Church, 305 N. Congress St. in Jackson.

Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012

Swearing-In Ceremony
When: 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (seating and pre-program begin at 10 a.m.).
Where: South Steps of the Mississippi State Capitol.
The event will be a joint session of the legislature with the new Speaker calling to order and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves presiding. The Inauguration will also feature performances by the Mississippi Mass Choir, Mississippi Boychoir, Guy Hovis and the Mississippi National Guard Band.

Mississippi Rising Inaugural Parade
When: 2-3 p.m.
Where: Downtown Jackson. The route begins at Amite and State streets and crosses downtown, following State, Capitol, West and Mississippi streets.
The Master of Ceremonies is Marshal Ramsey, Cartoonist for the Clarion Ledger and Radio Host for Supertalk. The parade will include more than twenty bands from across Mississippi, State elected officials and others.

Inaugural Ball
When: 7:30 p.m. – midnight.
Where: Hall A & B, Jackson Convention Center, 105 Pascagoula St. in Jackson.
The Master of Ceremonies is former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott. Guests will enjoy musical performances by Southern Justice Band, Samantha Landrum, Diamond Rio and Eddie Cotton.
* Purchase Inaugural Ball tickets at www.risingtogether.ms.

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LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO BEGIN TUESDAY

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:10:13 +0000

Bryant to push Smart Budget Act, dual enrollment, public charter schools for failing school districts, and to encourage business growth

JACKSON – Gov.-elect Phil Bryant will call the Senate to order Tuesday, marking the beginning of the 2012 legislative session.

The Senate’s 52 members will take the oath of office, including 15 new senators. The Senate will also adopt the chamber’s rules and elect a Senate Pro Tempore, Secretary of the Senate, Assistant Secretary of the Senate and Senate Sergeant of Arms.

“With our leaders working together, we can achieve great things for Mississippi,” said Bryant, who has been at the helm of the Senate as lieutenant governor for four years.

Tuesday and Wednesday are Bryant’s final days as the Senate’s leader before he becomes governor on Jan. 10.

Senators have many important decisions on their plates for this legislative session, including the state’s budget, job creation and education reform, Bryant said.

“While we face great obstacles, great opportunity for real reform is inevitable,” Bryant said. “I have not yet officially announced my full legislative agenda, but I intend to push the Smart Budget Act, dual enrollment and public charter schools for failing school districts.”

The Smart Budget Act, or performance-based budgeting, encourages state government to be mission-driven and goal-oriented by requiring budget decisions to be based on whether state agencies are accomplishing expected results.

“I have made no secret that I am not a fan of the current antiquated budgeting system, and it is time we change it for a more accountable system of budgeting,” Bryant said. “The Smart Budget Act aims to ensure taxpayer money is being spent the best way possible. This is not being accomplished in our current system.”

Bryant will also push for a statewide collaborative effort to create a dual-enrollment program for high school students. Studies have shown that dual enrollment, which allows students to learn trade skills and earn college credits in addition to their high school curriculum, has a direct impact on drop out prevention – something that Bryant believes must be addressed.

“If we are going to continue to remain competitive in the workforce, we must focus on solutions designed to develop skilled workers and think outside the education box,” Bryant said.

Bryant will also introduce a plan to adopt public charter schools for failing school districts.

“Every child has the right to a good education in Mississippi, and public charter schools may be a good solution to improving struggling districts,” Bryant said.

“It is time to stop accepting failing schools that do not give kids the opportunities they deserve. It is time to start fostering environments that are effective, motivating, and challenging for students. If public charter schools give children more opportunities to succeed, we all will be better in Mississippi. We can’t afford to wait.”

Bryant has traveled to West Helena, Ark. and New Orleans, La., to examine the results public charter schools in those areas have had on children and communities.

Lastly, Bryant plans to introduce legislation for a Regulatory Review Commission. The Commission will assess state regulatory laws affecting Mississippi’s business community, particularly small businesses in the state. The Commission will make recommendations to the governor and legislature to implement more flexible methods of compliance.

“We must maintain an economic environment that is attractive to growth and expansion by removing the unnecessary regulations that burden our existing businesses and discourage new industries from opening their doors here,” Bryant said.

The live Senate proceedings can be viewed at www.ltgovbryant.com.

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INAUGURAL PLANNING CONTINUES

admin — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:40:52 +0000

Bands from around the state will play in the inaugural parade

JACKSON – Downtown Jackson will become the hub for Inaugural Activity in about two weeks when Governor-elect Phil Bryant is sworn in as the 64th Governor of Mississippi.

Bryant is particularly excited about one event – the Inaugural Parade, which starts at 2 p.m. Jan.10 at Amite and State streets. The parade is free and open to the public.

Bryant said he and his Transition team put a lot of thought into this parade, including its size, location and participants.

“I wanted this parade to capture the theme of my inauguration — ‘Rising Together’ — by showcasing bands from all regions of the state,” Bryant said. “More than twenty bands have been picked to play in the parade and as you can imagine the selection process was not easy.”

Bands from Mississippi high schools, community colleges and universities were asked to participate in the parade. Many of these bands have never played in an inaugural parade.

Bryant, a Moorhead native, asked Mississippi Delta Community College to be the lead band representing his hometown. The second band will be from Hinds Community College, then the University of Southern Mississippi all of which Bryant attended. The fourth band is from Northwest Rankin High School, where Bryant’s two children Katie and Patrick attended.

The lineup includes:

Leading Schools:
• Mississippi Delta Community College, Moorhead
• Hinds Community College, Pearl
• University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
• Northwest Rankin High School, Brandon

Other Schools:
• Brandon High School, Brandon
• Brookhaven High School, Brookhaven
• Columbia High School, Columbia
• Corinth High School, Corinth
• Hillcrest Academy, Jackson, MS
• Jones County Junior College, Ellisville
• South Jones High School, Ellisville
• Oak Grove High School, Hattiesburg
• Hillcrest Academy, Jackson
• Lake High School, Lake
• Olive Branch High School, Olive Branch
• University of Mississippi, Ole Miss
• Pearl High School, Pearl
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston
• Richland High School, Richland
• Saltillo High School, Saltillo
• East Mississippi Community College, Scooba
• Mississippi State University, Starkville
• Southwest Community College, Summit
• Vancleave High School, Vancleave

The parade begins at Amite and State streets. The route criss-crosses downtown, following State, Capitol, West and Mississippi streets, finally ending at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds.

For more information on the inaugural activities and tickets, please visit www.risingtogether.ms.

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GOVERNOR-ELECT PHIL BRYANT HOSTED POLICY SUMMIT THURSDAY

admin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:51:19 +0000

Bryant met with close to 300 experts to help build his 2012 policy agenda

JACKSON – Governor-elect Phil Bryant hosted a Policy Summit on Thursday in Jackson, bringing together nearly 300 policy committee members that he had appointed to provide input on the key issues facing Mississippi in 2012.

The Summit served as an opportunity to help the Governor-elect build his core policy agenda for the upcoming legislative session beginning in January.

“Some of Mississippi’s most knowledgeable and well-respected citizens came out to the Policy Summit to discuss tangible ways to improve our state,” Bryant said. “I enjoyed working with this group to build a policy agenda to lay the groundwork for my term in office and continue moving Mississippi forward.”

The one-day event was led by Mark Garriga, former Chief of Staff to Governor Kirk Fordice, and the 11 policy committee Chairs appointed by Governor-elect Bryant last month.

“This is an extremely accomplished group who joined us from the public, private and nonprofit worlds,” Garriga said. “We put together a great team to plan a comprehensive policy agenda for Governor-elect Bryant to begin this coming year.”

The six-hour Summit took place at the Marriott in downtown Jackson.

To learn more about Governor-elect’s policy committees and Policy Summit, visit: www.philbryanttransition.com.

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Governor-elect Phil Bryant Announces Inaugural Theme, Co-Chairs and Website

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:16:57 +0000

“Rising Together” to be the theme for the inauguration of Mississippi’s 64th Governor

JACKSON — Governor-elect Phil Bryant announced today the theme of his inauguration, which will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2012. The inaugural theme will be “Rising Together.” In addition, Bryant announced the three Co-Chairs of his inaugural committee as well as a new website to provide information about inaugural activities.

“Our inaugural theme is ‘Rising Together’ because that’s how we must address the challenges we face now and in the future,” said Governor-elect Bryant. “By working together, no matter what region of the state or political affiliation, we can move Mississippi in the right direction to provide more opportunities for everyone.”

Governor-elect Bryant has named three distinguished Mississippians as Co-Chairs of his inaugural committee.

The Co-Chairs are:

Trent Lott, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader;
Don Halle, President of Gulf Commercial Construction;
Rita Wray, Deputy Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration.

Other Mississippians will be included on the inaugural committee.

A website has been launched to provide more details about upcoming inaugural events. The website is www.RisingTogether.ms and it includes initial information about the inaugural events as well as an e-mail sign up to receive updates and news about tickets for the inaugural ball.

As part of the Inauguration Day there will be a prayer breakfast, First Lady’s Tea, the swearing-in ceremony, a parade and the inaugural ball. More details about the schedule of Inauguration Day will be announced in the near future.

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Phil Bryant was elected Governor of Mississippi with 61 percent of the vote in November 2011 and will be sworn-in as the state’s 64th Governor on January 10, 2012. He was sworn-in as Mississippi’s 37th Lieutenant Governor on January 10, 2008 after capturing 59% of the vote in the November election. He started his career in public service as a Hinds County Deputy Sheriff and was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives from District 59 in Rankin County in 1992 and re-elected in 1995. Bryant was appointed State Auditor by the late Governor Kirk Fordice and re-elected overwhelmingly in 1999 and without opposition in 2003.