MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2012 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Browning, Brown, Blount, Bryan, Burton, Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Collins, Dawkins, Doty, Fillingane, Flowers, Frazier, Gandy, Gollott, Hale, Harden, Harkins, Hill, Hopson, Horhn, Hudson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jolly, Jones, Jordan, Kirby, Lee, Longwitz, Massey, McDaniel, Montgomery, Moran, Parks, Polk, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Smith, Sojourner, Stone, Tindell, Tollison, Turner, Ward, Watson, Wiggins, Wilemon

Senate Concurrent Resolution 504

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER MISSISSIPPI SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE WALTER A. "PUD" GRAHAM OF NEW ALBANY, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

     WHEREAS, former State Senator and Senate President Pro Tempore Walter A. "Pud" Graham, 75, passed away on December 3, 2011, at his home.  He was born October 2, 1936, in Pontotoc County to J.A. "Buck" and Blanch Hearn Graham; and

     WHEREAS, he was a graduate of Hurricane School, Itawamba Community College and Delta State University.  He was the Alumnus of the Year in 1994 at Itawamba Community College and was a lifetime member of the Alumni Association of Delta State University; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Graham served in the State Senate from 1984 to 1995.  He was Senate President Pro Tempore from 1993 to 1995.  He did not seek reelection.  Instead he made an unsuccessful run in 1995 for Agriculture Commissioner.  Graham was first elected to the Senate as a Democrat but later changed to the Republican Party.  He was a member of the American Legislative Exchange and received the American Legislative Exchange Award in 1993; and

     WHEREAS, he was a Veteran of the Army National Guard, and a member of Ingomar Baptist Church; and

     WHEREAS, Senator Graham was extremely interested and active in legislation related to agriculture and economic development incentives for farmers.  He was a very talented and entertaining storyteller and was considered a humorist in the Mississippi Senate, who enriched the lives of his colleagues; and

     WHEREAS, survivors include his wife, Erma Graham; two sisters, Diane Caples and Wilma Waldrop; and two brothers, Dewayne Graham and Lee Graham.  He was preceded in death by his son, Gregg Graham; and

     WHEREAS, in honor of Senator Graham's service to his country and his state, the National Guard flag and the State of Mississippi flag was flown at half-staff during his visitation and service; and it is with sadness that we note the passing of this respected public servant:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the public service of former Senator and Mississippi Senate President Pro Tempore Walter A. "Pud" Graham of New Albany, Mississippi, and express to his surviving family our sympathy on his passing.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Senator Graham and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.