House Concurrent Resolution 82

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF HONORABLE JUDGE SADIE MONTS HOLLAND PROVIDED TO THE CITIZENS OF LEE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AND CONGRATULATING HER UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, after 15 years of dedicated and zealous service as an arbiter and magistrate of the law, the Honorable Sadie Monts Holland will retire her tribunal robe to the closet and silence her gavel of justice, after having first begun her prestigious career as a Lee County Justice Court Judge in 2003, concluding a laudable career of public service that has spanned more than five decades; and

WHEREAS, the only child born on January 31, 1933, in Lee County, Mississippi, to sharecrop farmers, the late Joe Thomas and Christine Roebuck Monts, a young Sadie Monts attended the Lee County Public Schools and Verona High School; and

WHEREAS, Sadie married J.C. Holland on December 10, 1949, and they made their homestead on what would become an award-winning family farm in Plantersville, forever known as the "Sadie J. Farm," and they welcomed six sons to their union, Billy Joe, Don (now deceased), Steve, Perry, John and Jimmy; and

WHEREAS, in the 86 years of life God has granted her to experience upon his magnificent creation of this world, Judge Holland has given quintessential meaning to the phrase "true renaissance woman," as she has pivotally experienced the historical significance of many first milestones; and

WHEREAS, most notable among Judge Sadie Holland's first accomplishments include: becoming the first woman in the State of Mississippi to serve as a public school bus driver in the 1960s; the first Mississippi woman to be named Outstanding Farm Woman and Family of America in 1965; the first woman to lead an integrated 4-H Club in Mississippi, the Hoe and Hope 4-H Club; the first woman elected to the office of Mayor of the Town of Nettleton in 1979; the first woman to serve as Municipal Court Administrator in the City of Tupelo; the first woman over the age of 65 to receive a license as a funeral director in 1999, when she was 69 years old; and the first woman publicly elected as Justice Court Judge in Lee County in 2003; and

WHEREAS, having gained the respect of her peers, colleagues and citizens as an advocate for fairness and equality, her ethical morale, character and rapport precedes her in the legal and civic communities of Lee County and Northeastern Mississippi, as evidenced by her lengthy list of accomplishments, accolades, recognitions and the confidence entrusted in her ability to serve all citizens without prejudice or undue delay; and

WHEREAS, Judge Sadie Holland formally announced that she will not seek reelection for a fifth term as Lee County Justice Court Judge, and will retire to the family business, Holland Funeral Directors, where she beautifully serves as a purveyor of solace and encouragement for families in their darkest hour; and

WHEREAS, Sadie Holland's announced retirement culminates 50 years of public life to the citizens of Lee County and the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, before and throughout the length of her spectacular career of public service, Judge Sadie Holland's life has been filled with love, a servant's heart, bountiful energy and accomplishment, and enormous respect from her six sons, their families and a grateful community; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the remarkable career and public service of such an equally remarkable, talented, fair and knowledgeable individual as Judge Sadie Holland, who has remained consistently dedicated to promoting and upholding the pristine principals of justice and providing intellectual interpretation of the laws of the State of Mississippi to maximize the benefits and protection of its citizens:

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 career and public service of the Honorable Judge Sadie Monts Holland rendered to the citizens of Mississippi, congratulate her upon the occasion of her retirement from public service and extend best wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the intersection of Highway 6 and Lee County Road 814 in Plantersville, Mississippi, bear the name "The Sadie Holland Intersection" to forever honor the many kind deeds and accomplishments of Honorable Judge Sadie Holland and that the Mississippi Department of Transportation erect proper signage to denote her lifetime of service to the citizens of Lee County and surrounding areas.

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