MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 3rd Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Nunnelee, Bryan, Little, Burton, Gordon, Mettetal, Albritton, Browning, Butler, Carmichael, Chamberlin, Dearing, Flowers, Frazier, Harden, Harvey, Huggins, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Posey, Thames, Thomas, Tollison, Turner, White, Wilemon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER SENATOR PERRIN H. PURVIS OF TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Perrin H. Purvis, former Mississippi State Senator, died Friday, October 30, 2004, at his Tupelo, Mississippi, home at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, family and friends said improving Mississippi's education system was the Democratic Senator's main goal in a legislative career lasting from 1964 to 1988. He believed in education and what education could do for Mississippians; and
WHEREAS, he authored the amendment in the State Senate to the Education Reform Act of 1982 that provided state funds for mandatory kindergarten classes in public schools; and
WHEREAS, Senator Purvis was a prominent retired businessman with interests in insurance and television. He attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he was a member of the school's M Club, served as President of the USM Alumni Association, and was inducted into the USM Sports Hall of Fame. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a Shriner, a member of the American Legion and a 32nd Degree Mason. He was also appointed to the Governor's Commission of Children and Youth and the Mississippi Community College Board. He was Chairman of the Tupelo Public School Board and served as President of the Tupelo Kiwanis Club, the International Fly Fisherman's Conclave and the Conference of Insurance Legislators. During his 24 years in the Senate, he served as Chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Tupelo; and
WHEREAS, Senator Purvis liked to fly fish and was a great public speaker. He traveled to several cities and gave a speech called, "Pan fish and politics"; and
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this respected Senator, whose legacy featured public school kindergartens and a new highway program for Mississippi, and whose career serves as a model for all citizens in the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of public service of former State Senator Perrin H. Purvis of Tupelo, Mississippi, and extend to his daughter and grandchildren the sympathy of the Legislature on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Senator Purvis and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.