Sam Angel now the longest serving member of the MRC - KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; KNOE.com |

VICKSBURG, MISS., (KNOE 8 News) - The Honorable Sam E. Angel became the longest serving member in the history of the Mississippi River Commission, breaking the previous record of Mr. Robert S. Taylor (Indiana) who served as an MRC civilian commissioner from 1881-1914.

In recognition of this significant occasion, Maj. Gen. John Peabody, President of the Mississippi River Commission, stated: "Sam's legacy of life-long service to the nation through the MRC is an amazing testament to his knowledge, dedication, and perhaps most importantly for this occasion, his stamina. He has set an example of selfless service."

Mr. Angel is president of the Epstein Land Company and Epstein Gin Company in Lake Village, Ark.  He was first appointed to the MRC by President Jimmy Carter in September 1979. After his first nine-year term, he was reappointed in October 1988 by President Ronald Reagan; in November 1999 he was appointed for a third nine-year appointment by President Bill Clinton; and President Barack Obama appointed him to his fourth nine-year term in December 2010.

To date, all MRC members are nominated and appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate of the United States. 

The commission was created by an Act of Congress on June 28, 1879 to plan and provide for the general improvement of the entire length of the Mississippi River.  This includes improving navigation, preventing destructive floods and facilitating commerce.  The presidential appointees consist of three officers from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and three civilians, two of whom must be civil engineers.