MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Ford, Bailey, Banks, Barnett (116th), Barnett (92nd), Blackmon, Bourdeaux, Bowles, Bozeman, Broomfield, Brown, Cameron, Capps, Chaney, Clark, Clarke, Coleman (29th), Coleman (65th), Comans, Compretta, Cummings, Davis (102nd), Davis (7th), Dedeaux, Denny, Dickson, Eaton, Ellington, Ellis, Ellzey, Endt, Evans, Flaggs, Formby, Foster, Franks, Fredericks, Frierson, Gadd, Gibbs, Green (34th), Green (72nd), Green (96th), Grist, Guice, Hamilton, Henderson (26th), Henderson (9th), Holden, Holland, Horne, Howell, Huddleston, Hudson, Huskey, Janus, Johnson, Ketchings, King, Livingston, Malone, Manning, Maples, Martinson, McBride, McCoy, McElwain, McInnis, Middleton, Miles, Miller, Mitchell, Moak, Montgomery, Moody, Moore, Morris, Moss, Myers, Nettles, Peranich, Perkins, Perry, Read, Reeves, Reynolds, Richardson, Robertson, Robinson (63rd), Robinson (84th), Rogers, Ross, Rotenberry, Ryan, Saucier, Schoby, Scott (17th), Scott (80th), Short, Shows, Simmons (100th), Simmons (37th), Simpson, Smith (27th), Smith (35th), Smith (39th), Stevens, Straughter, Stribling, Stringer, Taylor, Thornton, Vince, Walker, Wallace, Warren, Watson, Weathersby, Wells-Smith, Williams, Woods, Young

House Resolution 8

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM JEROME HUSKEY AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE UPON HIS PASSING. 

WHEREAS, our colleague and dear friend, Representative William Jerome Huskey, departed this life on January 29, 1997, after a long and distinguished career of service to his state and his country; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Huskey was born on April 27, 1936, in the community of Quincy in Monroe County, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, he was a graduate of Mississippi State University, the Golden Gate University, and the United States Army Command and General Staff College; and

WHEREAS, Jerome had a distinguished military career, serving honorably in the United States Army from 1959 to 1982. Highlights include his direction of a security assistance and counter-insurgency organization in Latin America from 1969 to 1971, his service as the United States Army Representative to Ecuador and the Chief of the United States Army Mission to Colombia from 1974 to 1978, his service as Cochairman of the Combined Defense Board for the Defense of the Panama Canal, his service as Chief of Operations and Training of the United States Armed Forces--Southern Command in 1981, and his service as Deputy Senior Army Advisor for the Louisiana National Guard from 1981 to 1982; and

WHEREAS, he was a devout member of the Methodist Church and devoted much time and energy to his community and profession, including his participation as a Mason and Shriner, and a member of Leadership Monroe, the Exchange Club, the Mississippi Firefighters Association, the American Legion, the VFW, the Paralyzed Vets of America, the Retired Officers Association and Director of the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency; and

WHEREAS, Jerome was a successful businessman and cattleman, and was known for his many contributions to his fellowman and as a role model and leader to all citizens in the way that he lived his rich and full life, despite the hardship of losing his ability to walk after a tragic automobile accident; and

WHEREAS, Jerome was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1990 to represent Monroe and Itawamba Counties, where his ability, character and skill as a legislator were recognized by his colleagues and the leadership, resulting in his service as Chairman of the Committee on Interstate Cooperation and Vice Chairman of the Transportation Committee and the Military Affairs Committee; and

WHEREAS, an outspoken advocate of better highways, Jerome played a major role in winning legislative approval of expanding the four-lane road program and establishing a program to help cities and counties in the reconstruction of rural bridges; and

WHEREAS, Jerome spearheaded the successful effort in 1993 to authorize construction of three new veterans' homes in the state and was the principal author on the legislation to expand the amount of monies that could be spent by the Veterans Home Purchase Board to buy homes for veterans; and

WHEREAS, Jerome Huskey was married to the gracious Patsy Lee Fowlkes, a favorite of the entire House membership, and they were the loving parents of two sons, Craig Middleton Huskey and Kelly Miller, and assumed a major role in the life of their young great-nephew, Douglas Tyler Huskey, whom Jerome lovingly nicknamed "Little Man"; and

WHEREAS, because of his numerous accomplishments in public and private life, Jerome Huskey will be forever remembered by the people of Mississippi for his integrity, dignity, courage and the joy he left in the hearts of so many:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and public service of our dear friend and colleague, William Jerome Huskey, and offer our deepest condolences to his wife and family on this sad occasion.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Patsy Huskey and to members of the Capitol Press Corps.