[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 78 (Thursday, May 27, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S6274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             COMMEMORATING RETIREMENT OF UTILITY EXECUTIVE

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, on July 1, 1999, Donald E. Meiners will 
retire from Entergy Mississippi after 39 years of service. Don started 
as a salesman in Jackson and culminated as the president and chief 
executive officer.
  Mr. Meiners rose rapidly in the company and quickly became one of its 
officers. He has worked in marketing, operations and customer services, 
and within various subsidiaries of the company requiring frequent 
moves. Entergy recognized his leadership capabilities early, and he 
excelled at each challenge.
  He has also been very involved in the civic aspects of his community. 
He has taken on different roles from steering various United Way 
Campaigns to chairing the Chambers of Commerce for Jackson and 
Vicksburg, to leading MetroJackson's Housing Partnership and the 
Newcomen Society of Mississippi. Don has also supported the Executive 
Women's International Night, Mississippi Museum of Art, International 
Ballet Competition, Jackson Symphony Orchestra, and the Boys and Girls 
Club of America. His efforts have ensured that all Mississippians can 
be exposed to the full richness of the Magnolia State's culture.
  Mr. Meiners has made a personal commitment to education by serving on 
the boards of the Mississippi State University Foundation, Tougaloo 
College, Jackson State, and the Mississippi University for Women. 
Through these post-secondary institutions, he wanted to foster an 
atmosphere that inspired all Mississippians to reach up and participate 
in our national prosperity by having essential educational skills. He 
has also served or is currently serving on the boards of the Trustmark 
National Bank, Institute for Technology Development and Mississippi 
Manufacturers Association. Here, his focus has been to promote the 
right type of job producing capacity in my home state.
  As a result of his contributions to Mississippi, Mr. Meiners has been 
recognized as the Governor's Volunteer of the Year, Mississippi's 
Economic Development Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, Goodwill's 
Outstanding Volunteer, and he received the Hope Award from 
Mississippi's Multiple Sclerosis Chapter. It is clear that he has given 
his time and energy to all facets of Mississippi.
  Mr. Meiners is a family man caring for four generations of his 
relatives. He is devoted to Patricia Stone, his high school sweetheart 
and wife for 42 years. He also cares for his 90-year-old father. His 
sons, Christopher and Charles, have truly made him proud, and his two 
granddaughters, Hannah and Mallory light up his life. He is also an 
active member of Christ United Methodist Church.
  I must not forget to mention that Don is a Mississippi State 
University Bulldog with a degree in electrical engineering. This Rebel 
found a way to look past this personal educational flaw. No, seriously, 
I am proud to call Don, a Hazlehurst native, my friend. I respect his 
professionalism and dedication to Mississippi. He is a true southern 
gentleman, and he will be missed. I wish Don and Pat the best as they 
pursue a well-earned retirement.




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