Conservation Corner: April 5, 1999

Mississippi Loses A True Friend
by James L. Cummins

I called my friend Martha Dalrymple in Amory early Thursday morning. After she answered the telephone, I responded with a "Hey". Her reply was, "You aren't calling with good news, are you?" It was no need to say any more. She knew what had happened.

I am referring to Howard Miller, who died on April 1. In a March 3, 1995, letter to me, Howard said, "I believe we share a common love for the resources of our state and I am proud you have faith in recommending me (as a Commissioner for the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks) to protect them. This responsibility is a delicate blend of protecting our resources and allowing the public the opportunity to enjoy them." Martha, also a close friend of Howard, shares the same love.

But am I qualified to write about Howard as a person? Maybe. But as Martha glanced around at the standing-room only crowd and commented that it was the largest crowd she had ever seen at a funeral, it was obvious that he was well-respected and had many friends. Many of these friends could probably write volumes about Howard - his commitment to family, community, his maker and them.

Do I know what Howard did for conservation in our State? Yes. One need not look very far to see the results of his endeavors. "H", as he was sometimes called, led the way for Mississippians in obtaining a later closure of the duck season. He was passionate about waterfowl - and worked to ensure that waterfowl habitat management was an integral part of the state's Wildlife Management Area System. He was a Board Member of Wildlife Mississippi. In fact, I do not have enough space to list all of his contributions.

As Chairman of the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (for the record, he never missed a meeting), he made many decisions on hunting/fishing regulations. And by definition, all decisions on this subject are controversial. Nevertheless, he always took the time to return calls and gather the most information about an issue and, above all, treat everyone with respect and courtesy. Mississippi needs more Howard Millers who strive to make this great state reach its full potential and make our government do a better job and respect the needs and opinions of ordinary citizens.

Over the last several days I have visited with many people about Howard. There is an ancient Chinese proverb that says, "If you want to be happy for an hour - get intoxicated; if you wish to be happy for three days - get married; if you wish to be happy for eight days - kill a pig; if you wish to be happy forever - learn to fish." Howard has fished all of his life. He will continue to. However, it is up to us to get a fishing report.

Howard will live in the hearts and minds of his friends for a lifetime; however, his contributions will live forever.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi.