MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blackmon, Jackson (32nd), Barnett, Butler, Frazier, Horhn, Jackson (11th), Jordan, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Turner-Ford, Witherspoon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ESTEEMED AND LAUDABLE LEGISLATIVE CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE MOST HONORABLE AND DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM BOLIVAR, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INC., (FEED), SENATOR WILLIE SIMMONS.
WHEREAS, the honorable and distinguished gentleman from Bolivar, Willie Simmons, for the last 25 years has committed himself to working tirelessly on behalf of the people of Mississippi and the constituency of Senate District 13, which includes portions of Bolivar, Sunflower and Tallahatchie Counties, from the historical floor of the majestically ethereal and hallowed Senate Chamber; and
WHEREAS, on March 20, 1947, in the rural and unassuming Community of Utica, Mississippi, on the western border of Hinds County, a giant of a man and visionary leader in the likeness of Willie Simmons was birthed onto the scene, fashioned from the proverbial stone of greatness to serve as a pillar of hope and agent of change for his family and community; and
WHEREAS, a notable alumnus of Utica Junior College, Alcorn State University and Delta State University, Senator Simmons has employed his shrewd business acumen as owner of Simmons and Associates Consulting Firm and the Senator's Place Restaurant to guide the agenda of the Foundation for Education and Economic Development, Inc., (FEED), as the organization strives to fulfill each of its established missions and goals for the last 13 years in the capacity as Chairman; and
WHEREAS, as longstanding Chairman of FEED, Senator Simmons has used the wealth of knowledge and innate prowess as a master negotiator that he has acquired by virtue of his legislative career and his affiliations with the National Association of State Legislators, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, the Mississippi Grammy Museum, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and the National Alumni Associations for both Alcorn State University and Delta State University to position FEED to serve as the benefactor of Mississippi's Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) to the tune of more than a Quarter Million Dollars; and
WHEREAS, upon his election in November 1992 and receiving the oath of office in January 1993 during his first Legislative Session, Willie Simmons became the distinguished gentleman from Bolivar 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 through his service as Chairman of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee, and membership on the Senate Committees on Agriculture, Appropriations, Corrections, Ports and Marine Resources, Public Health and Welfare, State Library, Tourism and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee; and
WHEREAS, Senator Simmons' love and deeply felt respect for the Legislature as a hallowed institution and his zealous leadership of FEED has led his fight to preserve and nurture its integrity and improve its outcomes by taking great strides to advance the direction of the state's economic, educational, social and political climate, as made prominently evident during the first year of his FEED Chairmanship in 2005 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's harrowing aftermath, when he selflessly sought to restore a sense of hope in humanity to the countless coastal residents impacted by the storm by organizing and delivering three tractor-trailers filled with commodities, clothing and appliances to Laurel, Hattiesburg and the Gulf Coast, all in the name of FEED; and
WHEREAS, when tornados struck Winston and Holmes Counties, FEED provided financial assistance by making contributions to the Tornado Victim Fund, as well as aiding the fundraising efforts for flood relief in Vicksburg, under Senator Simmons' leadership; and
WHEREAS, Senator Simmons' piloting the operations of FEED has exemplified the benevolence of the cliché, "Charity begins at home and then spread abroad," as FEED's Chairman and Board of Directors galvanized FEED and organized scores of others to serve as Mississippi's Goodwill Ambassadors in the Texas trenches after Hurricane Harvey unleashed its devastation on Houston; and
WHEREAS, not one to limit his community involvement solely to his Legislative responsibilities, Senator Simmons has always been active in his district and dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens, as he epitomizes the instructions given Simon Peter by Jesus in John 21:15-17: "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, Son of Jonah, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, Son of Jonah, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, Son of Jonah, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep"; and
WHEREAS, Senator Simmons has been feeding his sheep, clothing his sheep, shepherding his sheep through his leadership of FEED, which desires to express to him its unmitigated appreciation for all the people fed during his leadership as the organization's Chairman; and
WHEREAS, while Senator Simmons has been favored with many opportunities both near and afar, those who have really come to know his heart know that his first love is paying the gift of God's bountiful blessing forward without any expectation of return, in the selfless spirit of a true Good Samaritan; and
WHEREAS, both FEED and the Mississippi Legislature cherish the bond and common goals for the betterment of this great state shared with the Honorable Senator Willie Simmons, whose impeccable service remains unparalleled to the State of Mississippi; his wife, Rose Sibley Simmons; children: Avery, Christopher, Reginald and Sarita; grandchildren; and to the constituents of Senate District 13; and
WHEREAS, Senator Simmons 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 God's word; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor the indelible legacy of remarkable service of our Chairman, colleague and friend, Senator Willie Simmons, who continues to be the archetype representation of humanitarian leadership in this body and the people of this state with honor and dignity:
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 esteemed and laudable legislative career and public service of this most honorable and distinguished gentleman from Bolivar, Senator Willie Simmons, and express fondest respect and best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Senator Willie Simmons, the Foundation for Education and Economic Development, Inc., (FEED), and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.