House Concurrent Resolution 26

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ESTEEMED AND LAUDABLE LEGISLATIVE CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE MOST HONORABLE AND DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM OKTIBBEHA, FORMER REPRESENTATIVE TYRONE ELLIS.

WHEREAS, the honorable and distinguished Gentleman from Oktibbeha, Tyrone Ellis retired from the Mississippi House of Representatives on Friday, June 30, 2017, after tirelessly working on behalf of the people of Mississippi and House District 38, which includes portions of Clay, Lowndes and Oktibbeha Counties, for 38 consecutive years from the historical floor of the majestically ethereal and hallowed House Chamber; and

WHEREAS, before assuming his seat as the member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from District 38, Representative Ellis studied at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois, East Mississippi Community College, Ministerial Institute and College, and New Orleans Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Representative Tyrone Ellis was diligently serving the citizens of his community well before his election to the Mississippi House of Representatives as a consultant and businessman, as a real estate developer, and most importantly, as the Pastor of Running Water Baptist Church in Noxubee County, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, upon his election in 1980, Tyrone Ellis became the distinguished Gentleman from Oktibbeha and wasted no time requesting the legislation, amendments and reports that would help effectuate into law the ideologies and policy changes that his constituents had elected him to further, and because of his passion and genuine desire to better this great Magnolia State, he became the first member to serve as Majority Leader of the Mississippi House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, Representative Ellis' love and deeply felt respect for the Legislature as a hallowed institution has led his fight to preserve and nurture its integrity, becoming a guardian of this sacred institution during a time in Mississippi's history when the diversity of the House membership expanded to include meaningful participation by women, African Americans, Republicans and Democrats alike, who equally hold a lion's share in the stake of advancing the direction of the state's economic, educational and political climate; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as a legislator from 1980 until 2017, Representative Ellis served on the following committees: Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency, Apportionment and Elections, Corrections, Judiciary B, Judiciary En Banc, and as a ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee; and

WHEREAS, not one to limit his community involvement to the Legislature, Representative Ellis has always been active in his district and dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens, as evidenced by his service with the Starkville Habitat for Humanities, the Starkville-Oktibbeha County Boys and Girls Club, and the Oktibbeha County School Board; and

WHEREAS, while Representative Ellis has been favored with many opportunities both far and near, those that really know his heart know that his first love is preaching the Gospel of Christ whenever and wherever the chance arises, and he has travelled both nationally and internationally to preach and teach God's Word and serve as a practitioner/trainer and consultant in countries as far away as Russia and Nigeria; and

WHEREAS, the members of the House of Representatives will cherish the bond and common goals for the betterment of this great state shared with the Honorable Representative Tyrone Ellis, and that his impeccable service was unparalleled to the Mississippi Legislature, his wife, Arella Rena, children, Stephen and Stephanie, six grandchildren, and to the constituents of District 38; and

WHEREAS, Representative Ellis has led and continues to lead a life of bravery in the face of challenge, sincerity in the face of apathy and honesty in the presence of deceit, and through it all, this remarkable person has remained a phenomenal gentleman, grounded in his integrity, who seeks to improve the lives of others through positive example, hard work and the undeniable truths of the Word of God; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor the indelible legacy of remarkable service of our former colleague and friend, Representative Tyrone Ellis, who represented his district, this body and the people of this state with honor and dignity:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the esteemed and laudable legislative career and public service of the most honorable and distinguished Gentleman from Oktibbeha, Representative Tyrone Ellis, and express fondest respect and best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to former Representative Tyrone Ellis and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.