MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Tollison, Seymour, Dearing, Kirby, Blackwell, Barnett, Blackmon, Blount, Branning, Burton, Butler, Carmichael, Carter, Caughman, Chassaniol, Clarke, DeBar, Dawkins, Frazier, Harkins, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), McDaniel, Jordan, McMahan, Massey, Moran, Norwood, Parks, Parker, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Turner-Ford, Watson, Wilemon, Witherspoon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE PUBLIC CAREER AND RECOGNIZING THE LASTING LEGACY OF SENATOR TOMMY GOLLOTT, WHO IS THE LONGEST-SERVING STATE LAWMAKER IN MISSISSIPPI HISTORY, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, the longest-serving State Legislator in Mississippi history has announced his retirement, however, the legacy of Biloxi Senator Thomas Arlin (Tommy) Gollott's work will last long after he leaves the Capitol. With 52 years of service, Senator Gollott has built a lot of things from the ground up. Mississippians owe Senator Gollott a debt of gratitude for his service and his lasting legacy to the history of our state; and
WHEREAS, on September 24, 2017, Tommy Gollott (83) tied the late Walter Sillers, Jr., as the longest-serving State Legislator. Speaker Sillers served for almost 50 years, from when he was first elected in 1916 until his death on September 24, 1966. Gollott has surpassed Sillers' longevity mark. As the body's longest-serving member, Gollott is affectionately called the "Dean" and "Godfather" of the Mississippi Legislature; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, the "Dean" of the Mississippi Legislature has chaired numerous committees, both in the House of Representatives and the Senate, and served as President Pro Tempore of the Mississippi Senate from 1996-2000; and
WHEREAS, Senator Gollott gives thanks for his accomplishments to the many "wonderful" people he has worked with over the years to get things accomplished. In 1967, Gollott was elected to the House of Representatives and was sworn into office in January 1968. He served in the House until his election to the Senate in 1979, taking office in January 1980; and
WHEREAS, Gollott's record is not likely to be broken anytime soon since no other lawmaker has more than 38 years of continuing service. In 2008, Gollott's fellow Senators passed a resolution honoring him for his then-40 years of service. The resolution said Gollott authored and was instrumental in passing legislation that built the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum and Convention Center and the South Mississippi Retardation Center in Long Beach. When he was a member of the House of Representatives, Gollott authored the bill that enabled the purchase and preservation of 35,000 acres of the Pascagoula River System, the largest free-flowing river system in the lower 48 states. He is also credited with legislation authorizing dockside gaming that gave rise to a tourism and economic boon on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and in other areas of the state; and
WHEREAS, Senator Gollott attended the University of Southern Mississippi and Jefferson Davis Junior College. His professional experience includes working as the owner of Gollott and Sons Transfer and Storage, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Gollott, once an Amateur Athletic Union Boxing Champ, organized the Happy Days Youth Boxing Club. He is known for fighting for the Gulf Coast and the state when it comes to promoting job creation. Senator Gollott was a Democrat for much of his career, even serving as Senate President Pro Tempore under then-Lieutenant Governor Ronnie Musgrove, until he switched parties in 2000. Still, he said he does not believe in partisan politics. "It shouldn't be partisan, we need cooperation"; and
WHEREAS, "I've always considered Senator Gollott not just a friend but an ally in someone who always believed in what the mission of this facility was," said Coast Coliseum Executive Director Matt McDonnell. Gollott was involved from the very beginning when the Legislature created the Coliseum Commission in 1968. In 1994, Senator Gollott built another legacy by turning a small bureau into what is now known as the Department of Marine Resources. In building the Department of Marine Resources, Gollott helped the department begin to build the Gulf Coast; and
WHEREAS, one project in particular that friends said really defines his character is with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast. As with most everything else, Gollott has been involved since its inception in 1966. "First of all, it's his character," said long-time friend and club board member Jimmy Johnson. "He loves children. He loves his community and, most of all, he loves his family. The Boys and Girls Club is a big family. There's a lot of children out there that we reach"; and
WHEREAS, in response to Senator Gollott becoming the longest-serving Legislator in September 2017, PEER Executive Director Max Arinder stated, "The Mississippi Legislature is fortunate to have a person of Senator Gollott's caliber as a member. Senator Gollott has devoted his adult life to public service, always helping citizens on his beloved Gulf Coast. We on the PEER Committee staff enjoy working with and supporting Senator Gollott as he continues to serve the people of Mississippi"; and
WHEREAS, Tommy's family seafood business, Gollott's Seafood, is synonymous with the business of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Gollott's daughter, Lisa Gollott Lane of Baton Rouge, the middle of three daughters of Tommy and Zelma Gollott, said of her father: "He has a heart for the Coast and for helping people. He can be a bulldog at the Legislature, but he has compassion"; and
WHEREAS, Tommy Gollott will leave a lasting legacy not only in his beloved Mississippi Gulf Coast but throughout the State of Mississippi. His passion for helping build community throughout this region has been unlike any other. He will truly be missed:
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 lasting legacy of Senator Tommy Gollott on the occasion of his retirement, and extend to Senator Gollott and his family continued success and happiness in his retirement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Senator Tommy Gollott, transmitted to the Lieutenant Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Mississippi Senate and the Governor of the State of Mississippi, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.