MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (32nd), Branning, Clarke, Dearing, DeBar, Jackson (11th), Jordan, Simmons (13th), Witherspoon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE ENERGETIC PUBLIC SERVICE OF NESHOBA COUNTY'S JERRY SMITH AS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO BE ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.
WHEREAS, Mississippians owe Neshoba County's Jerry Smith a debt of gratitude for his service over the last several decades; and
WHEREAS, on January 24, 2019, Jerry Smith was elected as President of the Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts (MACD). Smith joined the Neshoba County Soil and Water Conservation District's Board as a Deputy Commissioner in 1992 and became a Commissioner in 1996. Smith is the first Neshoba County native and first African-American to serve as the MACD President, and is the first African-American to serve in that position nationally; and
WHEREAS, Jerry W. Smith was born in Winston County, Mississippi, to John W. and Edna Houston Smith, the middle child of three. He grew up on his parent's farm and attended Camille Street High School. After graduating from high school and Alcorn State University, Jerry worked for the International Paper Company as a Forest Technician and later a Lumber Yard Supervisor; and
WHEREAS, Jerry started M & S Service, a landscaping and ground maintenance company, and also did tree planting and tree and stump removal until retirement in 1992; and
WHEREAS, as part of his civic contribution, Jerry was appointed to the Board of Trustees of East Central Community College in 2018, where he now serves as Vice Chairman of the board; and
WHEREAS, in 1970, he was married to Paulene Hartzog and the couple were blessed with two children and are now the grandparents of four grandchildren. He is a member of Goodway Missionary Baptist Church, where he serves as a Deacon; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute to the public service and civic energy of a Mississippi citizen who is an example to all in our state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the energetic public service of Neshoba County's Jerry Smith as the first African-American to be elected as President of the Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts, and extend to Jerry and his family the best wishes of the Legislature.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Jerry Smith, forwarded to the Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.