House Resolution 58

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ESTEEMED AND LAUDABLE LEGISLATIVE CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE MOST HONORABLE AND DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM FORREST, FORMER REPRESENTATIVE AND NOW HONORABLE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HATTIESBURG, TOBY BARKER.

WHEREAS, the Honorable and Distinguished Junior Gentleman from Forrest, Toby Barker officially resigned from the Mississippi House of Representatives on Friday, June 30, 2017, to assume the reigns of municipal leadership as Mayor of the City of Hattiesburg, after tirelessly working on behalf of the people of Mississippi and House District 102, which includes portions of Forrest and Lamar Counties, for 10 years from the historical floor of the majestically ethereal and hallowed House Chamber, effectively signaling official changing of the guard in the post held by a visionary leader, friend and adept lawmaker; and

WHEREAS, a native of Meridian, who was born on December 31, 1981, the son of Reverend and Mrs. Bob Barker, Jr., and grandson of the late Dr. and Mrs. Bob Barker, Sr., and the late Mr. and Mrs. E.D. (Red) McKinney, Toby relocated to Hattiesburg in 2000 to attend the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned a bachelor of arts in communication and master of science in economic development, respectively in 2004 and 2006; and

WHEREAS, upon assuming his seat as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from District 102, at the age of 25, to become the youngest state legislator at the time and first millennial elected in Mississippi, in 2007, former Representative and now Mayor Barker became the distinguished Gentleman from Forrest, whose passion, genuine desire and learned disposition to research, vet and expound upon issues to further the progress of this great Magnolia State, and whose exceptional preparation and unparalleled orations enabled him to swiftly navigate the ranks of leadership of the Mississippi House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, gaining stature as a prominent, yet formidable politician, the Junior Gentleman from Forrest's abilities and talent were immediately recognized by his colleagues, and when combined with his strong work ethic, he quickly rose from freshman lawmaker to Vice Chairman of the Select Committee on Poverty at the onset of his first legislative term in 2008, to an influential purveyor of equity with his appointment as Vice Chairman of the Public Health and Human Services Committee during his second term in 2012, and culminating in his appointment to the chairmanship position of the House Performance Based Budgeting Committee in 2016, which he zealously led with much deference and bipartisan participation; and

WHEREAS, it was during the Mayor's second legislative term and service as Vice Chairman of the Public Health and Human Services Committee that his aspiration to sharpen his acuity in the areas of the law for which he shared the reigns of guiding legislation compelled him to enroll in Brown University, where his aspirations to become well-versed in healthcare came to complete fruition in 2015, when he earned a master of healthcare leadership; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his storied legislative career, Mayor Barker's diligence and devotion to the office to which he was elected were fueled by a desire to better enhance the quality of life for the entire citizenry of the Hospitality State, as he endeavored with feverish propensity through his vocal participation on the several committees to which he was assigned, including: Apportionment and Elections; Appropriations; Education; Medicaid; Public Health and Human Services; Public Property; Select Committee on Poverty; Technology; Transportation; and Universities and Colleges; and

WHEREAS, in addition to making great legislative strides that fostered a statewide impact through such efforts as the Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2013, to negotiating the 2016 foster care reform bill that moved foster care from the Department of Human Services to the newly created Department of Child Protection Services while securing the $34 million in funding to comply with the state's federal court order and handling the two bills that created the Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship for Students with Dyslexia Program and Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship in 2012, Toby's commitment to Hattiesburg remained at the forefront of his agenda, as evidenced by his ability to successfully secure: state resources to provide sidewalks and safe pathways for Hattiesburg Public School students around Woodley Elementary, Rowan Elementary, Hawkins Elementary and Hattiesburg High; ongoing funding in the K-12 budget for technology upgrades at N.R. Burger Middle School and increased state funding for DuBard School and the Children's Center for Communication and Development at the University of Southern Mississippi; a capital investment for the Hattiesburg Zoo and the Historic Eureka School Museum; the sale of the former Elam Arms residence hall and parking lot to spur the first commercial development for Midtown Hattiesburg; and an additional $1.3 million in state appropriations for the University of Southern Mississippi's insurance deductible after the 2013 tornado; 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 Mayor Barker during his time as State Representative for House District 102, and that his impeccable service was consummated to the Mississippi Legislature, his wife Kate, daughter Audra, expected son, the constituents of District 102 and the citizens of Hattiesburg; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor the indelible legacy of remarkable service of our former colleague and friend, Mayor Toby Barker, who represented his district, this body and the people of this state with honor and dignity for the entirety of his legislative career:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the esteemed and laudable legislative career and public service of the most Honorable and Distinguished Junior Gentleman from Forrest, former Representative and now Honorable Mayor of the City of Hattiesburg, Toby Barker, 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 the Honorable Mayor of the City of Hattiesburg Toby Barker and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.