House Concurrent Resolution 62

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND MERITORIOUS LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE THAT THE HONORABLE JUDGE JOHN ANDREW HATCHER, JR., PROVIDED AS THE CHANCERY COURT JUDGE OF THE FIRST CHANCERY COURT DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI, PLACE 1, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, the Honorable John Andrew Hatcher, Jr., Chancery Court Judge of the First Chancery Court District of Mississippi, Place 1, which covers Alcorn, Tishomingo, Prentiss, Lee, Union, Pontotoc, Monroe and Itawamba Counties, retires from the bench after more than 11 years of judicial service to the great State of Mississippi and its citizens; and

WHEREAS, born on November 23, 1948, in Jackson, Mississippi, Judge Hatcher graduated in 1966 from Drew High School in Sunflower County, Mississippi, furthered his education at Delta State, graduating in 1969, and received his Juris Doctorate in December 1972, from the University of Mississippi School of Law; and

WHEREAS, John Andrew Hatcher, Jr., esquire, began the general practice of law in Booneville, Mississippi, in November 1973, and from 1975 until 1976, he taught a paralegal program at Northeast Mississippi Community College; and

WHEREAS, motivated to perform public service, Judge Hatcher served as the vice chairman of the Mississippi Council on Children from 1977 until 1979, the Housing Specialist with the Governor's Office of Federal, State and Local Programs, Division of Housing Coordination from 1978 until 1979 and the Director of Yocona Area Council of Boy Scouts of America from 1979 until 1980; and

WHEREAS, Judge Hatcher has a true passion for advocating on behalf of his community, as he served as the county prosecutor for Prentiss County, Mississippi, from 1980 until 1995, the city prosecutor for Baldwyn, Mississippi, and the city attorney for Marietta, Mississippi, from 1991 until 2006, and city attorney for Farmington, Mississippi, from 1999 until 2006; and

WHEREAS, in 1996, Judge Hatcher was the founding incorporator, director and secretary of Booneville-Prentiss County Parks, Inc. (Kids Town), and he currently serves as the founding incorporator, director and secretary of Brice's Crossroads National Battlefield Commission, Inc., and the founding incorporator, director and president of Lower Anderson Owners' Association, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, because of his expertise, Judge Hatcher has served in many leadership roles throughout his community, including president of the First Judicial District Bar Association, chairman of the Booneville Ward System Council and secretary of the Mississippi Conference of Chancery Court Judges; and

WHEREAS, since 1973, Judge Hatcher has been a beacon of hope and an institution of knowledge and prosperity to all those in and around his community, and he has been active in providing public services, forming and representing rural water associations, fire departments and sewer services; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his role as legal eagle, Judge Hatcher has been a member of Booneville First United Methodist Church since 1975, serving on the administrative board, the finance committee, and currently on the pastor-parish relations committee; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, Judge Hatcher has received a shower of loving and unwavering support from his wife of 49 years, the wonderful Kathy Reynolds Hatcher; and

WHEREAS, after 11 years of judicial service to the people of the First Chancery Court District of Mississippi, retirement will surely leave an insatiable void for upholding the rule of law and mingling with Mississippi's finest in the heart of Judge Hatcher, but he is overjoyed to relax and reflect on the countless number of remarkable people that have touched his life throughout his 11-year career as the Chancery Court Judge of the First Chancery Court District of Mississippi, Place 1; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the tireless devotion to the betterment of Mississippi and honor the ardent vow to impeccable public service that Judge John Andrew Hatcher, Jr., bestowed to the citizens of Mississippi as Chancery Court Judge of the First Chancery Court District of Mississippi, Place 1:

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 distinguished career and meritorious leadership and service that the Honorable Judge John Andrew Hatcher, Jr., provided as the Chancery Court Judge of the First Chancery Court District of Mississippi, Place 1, upon the occasion of his retirement, and extend sincere wishes for continued success and joy in the lighter days ahead.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Judge Hatcher and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.