House Concurrent Resolution 93

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ESTEEMED AND LAUDABLE LEGISLATIVE CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE MOST HONORABLE AND DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM RANKIN, REPRESENTATIVE NOLAN "RAY" R. ROGERS, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WHEREAS, the honorable and distinguished Gentleman from Rankin, Representative Nolan "Ray" R. Rogers has announced his plans for retirement from the Mississippi House of Representatives at the conclusion of the 2019 Regular Session of the Mississippi Legislature, after tirelessly working on behalf of the citizens of Mississippi and House District 61, situated in Rankin County, for 36 consecutive years from the historical floor of the majestically aesthetic, ornate and hallowed House Chamber; and

WHEREAS, before assuming his seat as the member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from District 61, Representative Rogers led an exciting life as a minor league baseball player, having played several years of semi-pro baseball with the Washington Senators after graduating from Pearl High School in 1951, and with the minor league Meridian Millers of the Cotton States League for the 1953 and 1954 seasons, before opening his business, Ad-World Advertising Specialists in 1964, as well as serving as a Rankin County Justice of the Peace; and

WHEREAS, upon his election in 1983, Ray Rogers became the distinguished Gentleman from Rankin upon being sworn into office on the first day of his first legislative session in January 1984, 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

WHEREAS, Representative Rogers' love and deeply felt respect for the Legislature as a hallowed institution has led his fight to preserve and nurture its integrity for all legislators 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 1984 until 2019, Representative Rogers served on the following committees: Military Affairs for 20 years, and which he serves as Chairman; a ranking member and former Vice Chairman of Ways and Means; former Vice Chairman of Municipalities; former Vice Chairman of Public Utilities; Banking and Financial Services; County Affairs; Education for 20 years; Ethics; Investigate State Offices; Management; PEER; Public Property; Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (formerly Game and Fish); and

WHEREAS, not one to limit his community involvement to the Legislature, Representative Rogers has always been active in his district and dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens, as evidenced by his service as a Mason, Shriner, Kiwanis Club member, member of the Pearl Chamber of Commerce, Rankin First, the Pearl Touchdown Club and the Pearl Athletic Alumni Association; and

WHEREAS, while Representative Rogers has been favored with many opportunities both far and near, those that really know his heart know that aside from his family, his second love is all things related to the extracurricular activities and auxiliaries of the Pearl High School Pirates, which have been a mainstay in his life from his years as a Pearl High School student when he played in the Pirates' first ever football game in 1949 as the team's first quarterback and team captain, as well as excelling as a star slugger on the baseball diamond, and climaxing with 55 years of service as the "Voice of the Pirates" from 1964 to 2018, in the aptly named "Ray Rogers Press Box" situated inside what would become the "Ray Rogers Stadium" in 2008, much to his surprise; 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 Nolan "Ray" R. Rogers, and that his impeccable service was unparalleled to the Mississippi Legislature and to the constituents of District 61; and

WHEREAS, Representative Rogers 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, the service of Representative Rogers would be without honor but for the continued support, encouragement and love of his family, who have endured the daunting struggles that accompany the life of an elected official, and much credit is also due to his loved ones who have sacrificed countless hours without him in order to allow him to fulfill his legislative obligations, including: his wife, Shirley Greer Rogers; children, Sherry Rogers Downs, Pamela Rogers and Kimberly Rogers; grandchildren, Jordan Downs, John Rogers Downs, Walker Prestel and Jane Ellen Prestel; and great-grandchildren, Kruise Atwood and Mary Kamdyn Atwood; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor the indelible legacy of remarkable service of our colleague and friend, Representative Ray Rogers, who represented his district, this body and the people of this state with honor and intrepid 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, distinguished and senior Gentleman from Rankin, Representative Nolan "Ray" R. Rogers, 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 Representative Nolan "Ray" R. Rogers and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.