Senate Resolution 27

A RESOLUTION TO COMMEND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AMY TUCK FOR HER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE AND FOR HER LEGACY TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck is retiring from the Mississippi Senate in accordance with the Constitutional provision that a Lieutenant Governor may not serve more than two consecutive terms; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Governor Tuck is a lady of integrity, fairness and hard work, and there is an acknowledged respect for the public and private life of our esteemed and beloved Presiding Officer, who has been a role model for all members of the Mississippi Legislature; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck is a native of Maben, Mississippi, and her Mississippi heritage stretches back as far as her family tree's roots can reach; and

WHEREAS, as a student, she attended Mississippi State University where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and a Master's Degree in Public Policy and Administration. She went on to study law and received her Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College in 1989; and

WHEREAS, as a public servant, Lt. Governor Tuck began her career the next year when voters elected her to the Mississippi State Senate. The State Senator led passage of landmark legislation to overhaul thousands of dangerous rural bridges; and

WHEREAS, later, as Secretary of the Senate, she administered the day-to-day business operations of the State Senate; and

WHEREAS, in 1999, she was elected Lieutenant Governor of the State of Mississippi and reelected in 2003; and

WHEREAS, as a leading policymaker in the Mississippi Legislature, she has been a passionate champion of children and a powerful advocate for public education. In 2000, her efforts resulted in a historic teacher pay package better known as the TOP (Teacher Opportunity Pay) plan, with the goal of raising teacher salaries to the Southeastern average. She also coupled the teacher pay plan with strong accountability measures because she believes that higher teacher pay and stronger accountability are inseparable. Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck has always believed an emphasis on early childhood education is not just a worthy goal but an obligation to our future; and

WHEREAS, as a leader for business and economic development, Lt. Governor Tuck has pushed a series of civil justice reforms through the Legislature to restore balance to our judicial system, ensuring access to healthcare and protecting small business owners from frivolous lawsuits. This epic struggle resulted in an 83-day special session of the Legislature; and

WHEREAS, in 2006 and 2007, Lt. Governor Tuck championed "tax swap" legislation geared towards improving the health and cutting taxes for hardworking Mississippians. Under her plan, the excise tax on cigarettes would be raised by $1.00 a pack while the state sales tax on groceries would be cut by 50%; and

WHEREAS, the protection of our state's elderly and most vulnerable citizens and access to healthcare for seniors has also been a priority in her administration. The Lieutenant Governor spearheaded efforts to protect the future of Medicaid by eliminating waste and fraud and fought for stronger language in the Vulnerable Adults Act to protect our elderly; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck was a leader in the effort to pass legislation requiring the phrase "In God We Trust," be posted in all public school classrooms, and she personally worked with the American Family Association to raise the money to pay for costs to schools. After a federal court tried to ban parts of our Pledge of Allegiance in public schools, she successfully fought to pass legislation requiring that schoolchildren recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning to begin the day; and

WHEREAS, asserting her longstanding pro-life beliefs, Lt. Governor Tuck has been one of our state's strongest defenders of the unborn, leading the effort for legal protection of the unborn and protecting the sanctity of life. Her commitment to the pro-life cause is unmatched in state government; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Governor Tuck is a proven and strong supporter of law enforcement and public safety issues. She has championed legislation to make fleeing from a law enforcement officer a felony and also led the fight to approve, fund and implement a statewide system of drug courts. Whether backing legislation to protect citizens from identity theft or making sure felons serve significant prison time, Lt. Governor Amy Tuck has been at the forefront of public safety issues; and

WHEREAS, as Lieutenant Governor, she has served alternately as Chair and Vice Chair of the Legislative Budget Committee, the body which determines how the state's budget is shaped; and

WHEREAS, our Presiding Officer has been a leader with a proven record, who strives in everything she does to put "People Above Politics"; and

WHEREAS, her record as Lieutenant Governor is fully recognized by all responsible citizens and public officials who attest to the tremendous progress made in our state while she served:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and recognize Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck, whose long and outstanding service has enriched everyone with whom she was associated, and we wish her much success in her future public and private endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Lieutenant Governor Tuck.