MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2007 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Tollison, Turner, Bryan, Robertson, Ross, Mettetal, Nunnelee, Little, Fillingane, Doxey, Brown, Burton, Butler, Chaney, Chassaniol, Clarke, Dawkins, Dearing, Frazier, Gordon, Harden, Jackson (15th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Michel, Pickering, Posey, Thomas

Senate Concurrent Resolution 623

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE AND LEGACY OF MISSISSIPPI SUPREME COURT PRESIDING JUSTICE AND FORMER STATE SENATOR KAY BEEVERS COBB ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM OFFICE.

     WHEREAS, Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice Kay Beevers Cobb, the only female justice currently on the nine-member court, has announced that she will retire from the bench effective May 1, 2007, to spend more time with her family; and

     WHEREAS, Justice Cobb served one term in the Mississippi State Senate from 1992-1996, and was appointed to the court by Governor Kirk Fordice in 1999 and elected in 2000 to a full term that expires in January 2009; and

     WHEREAS, considered an outstanding jurist, Justice Cobb is a graduate of Mississippi University for Women and is only the second woman to serve on the Mississippi Supreme Court, having served briefly with former Chief Justice Lenore Prather; and

     WHEREAS, her professional experience on the court includes the following:  appointed 1999; elected 2000-2008; Presiding Justice since April 1, 2004; Chairman, Continuing Judicial Education Commission, 1999-2001; member, Judicial Study Commission, 2001; Chairman, Supreme Court Technology Committee, 2004-present; Chairman, Human Resources Committee, 2006-present; member, Supreme Court Rules Committee, Trial/Appellate Courts, 2001-2004; member, Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Committee, 2001-2002; member, Mississippi Judicial Advisory Study Committee, Criminal Code Reform, 1999-2006; Court's Liaison to the Commission to Address Concerns of Impaired Lawyers, 2006-present; and Court's Liaison to the Gender Fairness Advisory Study Committee, 2006-present; and

     WHEREAS, while in the Mississippi Senate, she served as Chair of the Elections Committee; prior to her service in the Legislature, Justice Cobb was Special Assistant Attorney General for North Mississippi, Senior Attorney for the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and Director of Prosecutor Programs for the Mississippi Prosecutors College, University of Mississippi School of Law; and

     WHEREAS, her professional activities in the practice of law include the following:  President's Commission on United States Model State Drug Laws, 1992-1993; National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws, 1993-present; Mississippi Bar Association, 1978-present; Commission on the Courts for the 21st Century, 1992-1994; Women in the Profession Committee, 2001-present; Lafayette County Bar Association, 1978-present; President, 1982; Vice President, 1981; Secretary, 1980; Mississippi Prosecutors Association, 1982-1988; Mississippi Women Lawyers Association, 1999-present;  Southern Women in Public Service, Pacesetter, 1992, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004; Council of Pacesetters, 2007; Charles Clark American Inn of Court, Barrister, 2002-2004; Bencher, 2005-present; Program Chair, 2005; Nominating Committee, 2005-2006; Nellie Nugent Somerville Lecture in Government and Public Affairs, March 3, 2003; Chief Justice Award (for work revising Mississippi Rules of Court), July 2003; Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women, Advisory Board, 2006-present; and Lamar Order, University of Mississippi School of Law, 2003-present; and

     WHEREAS, Justice Cobb's civic and community activities are considerable:  Inter-Alumni Council, State Institutions of Higher Learning; Mississippi University for Women Alumnae Association Board; MUW Foundation Board; MUW Alumnae Achievement Award; MUW Medal of Excellence; MUW Presidential Search, Campus Advisory Committee; Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce; Lafayette Leadership; Lafayette County Extension Advisory Council; Lafayette County SWEEPS Council; Lafayette County Child Development Council; MSU Outstanding Mississippi Woman Award; National Youth Sports Program Advisory Board; Oxford AAUW (American Association of University Women) Woman of Achievement Award; Leadership Lafayette, Legacy of Leadership Award; Oxford Business and Professional Women, former President; Oxford Pilot Club; First Baptist Church, Oxford, Sunday School Teacher; and Oxford-Lafayette County Vision 20/20 Task Force Member and Chair; and

     WHEREAS, she has been married 44 years to Larry D. Cobb, and the couple has two daughters and five grandchildren.  She is a native of Quitman County, Mississippi, reared in Cleveland, Mississippi, and has been a resident of Oxford, Mississippi, for 31 years; and

     WHEREAS, Justice Cobb has considered herself as a role model and mentor for women in the legal profession.  She always endeavored to do her best and improve the opportunities for women who would follow her on the Mississippi Supreme Court, and it is with great pride that we recognize the diligence of this jurist who has brought honor to her court, her profession and to 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 public service and legacy of Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice and former State Senator Kay Beevers Cobb on the occasion of her retirement from office, and extend to her and her family the best wishes of the Legislature in their future endeavors.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Justice Cobb, forwarded to the Clerk of the Mississippi Supreme Court and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.