MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2008 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Dearing, Gollott, Gordon, Burton, Simmons, Hewes, Kirby, Chassaniol, Butler, Clarke, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Mettetal, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER SENATOR AND PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OLLIE MOHAMED OF BELZONI, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, the Legislature and the State of Mississippi lost a wonderful friend, former colleague, gentleman and enlightened lawmaker with the death of former State Senator and Senate President Pro Tempore Ollie Mohamed of Belzoni, Mississippi, on Sunday, April 6, 2008; and
WHEREAS, Senator Mohamed represented Senate District 21 which consisted of Holmes, Humphreys and Yazoo Counties. He was originally elected in 1964 and served two terms through 1971, then was reelected in 1980 and served until 1992, for a total of 21 years of service in the Mississippi Senate. He was elected by his colleagues to the position of President Pro Tempore of the Mississippi Senate in 1992. During his tenure in the Senate he was a leader in the very difficult issue of reorganizing the county unit system of county government, and he sponsored legislation to create the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. In 1971 the Legislature extended the session twice in order to pass this important legislation. He was an influential member of many committees throughout his legislative career, and he was one of the most respected and beloved members of the Legislature; and
WHEREAS, Senator Mohamed was a retired merchant and veteran. In 1942, he was in the first 18-year-old draft of World War II; and
WHEREAS, he was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church in Belzoni and was a 32nd Degree Mason. He was very active in local government for over 30 years. He served on the Delta Council, was a member of the VFW, the American Legion, the Mississippi Farm Bureau and the Sons of American Revolution; and
WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife of 59 years, Annelle Horne Mohamed; his six children: Lee Ann Moore (Tom), Ollie Mohamed, Jr., (Deborah), Sarah Goldberg (Charlie), David Mohamed (Lisa), Susan Watson (Bill), and Liz Rogers (Tracey); his nine grandchildren: Chad Mohamed (Gerard), Malinda Duncan (Jamie), Leah Ward (Michael), Lance Mohamed (Landi), Chuck Goldberg (Laura), Anne Claire Foshee, Beth Watson, Jeff Foshee and Mallary Watson; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Hazel Wilson and Carol Ivy (James); two brothers, Bubba Mohamed (Anita) and Buddy Mohamed (Naomi); many nieces and nephews; and close friends in the Delta; and
WHEREAS, Senator Mohamed's public service was exemplified by sound judgment and fairness, and he set the highest standard in all of his many roles, as a father, husband, grandfather, businessman, citizen statesman and leader in the Mississippi Delta and in the Mississippi Senate and as a true friend:
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 Senator and President Pro Tempore Ollie Mohamed of Belzoni, Mississippi, and express to his family the sympathy of the Legislature on his passing and our thanks for sharing Ollie with us and with the State of Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Senator Ollie Mohamed and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.