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Recognizing and commending Claude L. Vickers; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Claude L. Vickers has served with the utmost integrity and distinction as a financial officer, the State Auditor, and most recently as the Executive Director of Georgia Public Broadcasting and has earned an impeccable reputation for sound financial management; and

WHEREAS, in the spring of 1999, he was selected by the Governor to resolve the complex fiscal problems at the state public broadcasting entity based upon his successful record of administration, his financial expertise, and public confidence in his ability and leadership; and

WHEREAS, he reorganized the agency with a new management team, established new controls, policies, and procedures, and fulfilled the goal of creating a fiscally strong organization prepared for the challenging future of public broadcasting; and

WHEREAS, prior to joining Georgia Public Broadcasting, he served as the State Auditor for eight years where he created an integrated audit approach for more than 400 state and local governmental organizations, and he served on the boards of directors of 26 different boards, commissions, and committees, including the State of Georgia Employees' Retirement System, Teachers Retirement System, Georgia Development Authority, and the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority; and

WHEREAS, before his appointment by the General Assembly as the State Auditor, he served for 11 years as Director of the Fiscal Division of the Georgia Department of Administrative Services where he managed the state treasury, the self-insured risk management program, and state-wide computer accounting systems; and

WHEREAS, his professional reputation and service is well known throughout his native state and the southeastern region and includes serving as a member of Georgia's Distance Learning Telemedicine Board, the Governor's Information Technology Policy Council, the Infrastructure Committee of the Governor's Task Force on Education Information and Technology, the National Educational Telecommunications Association, and the Satellite Education Resources Consortium. He is a member of the Organization of State Broadcast Executives and the Association of America's Public Television Stations, and is a professional representative to the Public Broadcasting Service. He has served as a member and officer of the Southeastern Intergovernmental Audit Forum; the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers; the National Association of State Treasurers; the Association of Government Accountants; and the State of Georgia Fiscal Management Council. He was the first recipient of the Eagle Award for Excellence in Financial Management by the Atlanta Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize and commend Claude L. Vickers for his exemplary leadership and management and for his superb service to the State of Georgia and its citizens and convey to him their appreciation, respect, and best wishes in his retirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Claude L. Vickers.