[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 79 (Monday, June 7, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S6464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RETIREMENT OF DONALD E. MEINERS

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, on July 1, my friend, Donald Meiners, 
will retire from Entergy-Mississippi after 39 years of service. Mr. 
Meiners began his career in 1960 as a residential salesman in Jackson 
for what was then Mississippi Power & Light Company. He was quickly 
promoted in the marketing and operations divisions which involved 
numerous moves across the state of Mississippi. He became an officer in 
1978. After several promotions with Middle South Utilities, the parent 
company of MP&L, which now is Entergy Corporation, Don returned to his 
home state of Mississippi as president and chief operating officer of 
Entergy-MS. Then, he became president and chief executive officer.
  While Mr. Meiners is well respected in the corporate world, many 
Mississippians know him for his dedication and service to charities and 
civic organizations within his community and state. He has served as 
Chairman of the Metro-Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Jackson United Way 
and the Multiple Sclerosis Chapter of Mississippi.
  While Chairman of the Metro-Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Don was 
instrumental in forming the Metro Economic Development Alliance which 
unites economic development professionals in the Jackson area and 
encourages a team effort in recruiting new industry to the area. He 
served as the first chairman of the Metro Jackson Housing Partnership. 
Don has also been a leader of national organizations as well. He serves 
as a National Trustee of Boys and Girls Clubs of America and just last 
year served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Business and 
Industry Political Action Committee in Washington, DC.
  Duane O'Neill, who is President of the Metro-Jackson Chamber of 
Commerce, said, ``Don Meiners personifies a visionary leader, and he 
possesses the technical skills to translate that vision into action. 
His unquestioned integrity has always brought people together in an 
atmosphere of cooperation.''
  I am personally grateful for Don's work and involvement to help 
improve the state's economy. As an example of his outstanding community 
service, in 1996, Don Meiners was recognized as the outstanding 
volunteer of the year in economic development for the state of 
Mississippi.
  Don has been married for 42 years to his high school sweetheart, Pat, 
who has been a tremendous asset to him and to the communities where 
they have lived. They have two sons, Chris and Chuck, and a daughter-
in-law Pam. When I asked Don what he would do in retirement he quickly 
mentioned spending time with the ``light of his life'', his 
granddaughters Hannah and Mallory.
  Mr. President, it is a pleasure for me to bring to the attention of 
the Senate the career and influence of my friend Don Meiners, and to 
thank him for his many years of service to Entergy and the people of 
Mississippi. Mississippi is a better place because of him. While Don is 
retiring from the utility business, I know he will go on working to 
help make life better in his community and in our state.
  I wish Don and Pat much continued success and happiness in the years 
ahead.

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