MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Tollison, Dearing, Kirby, Barnett, Blackmon, Blackwell, Blount, Carmichael, Caughman, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Massey, McMahan, Parker, Seymour, Witherspoon
A RESOLUTION TO COMMEND SENATOR EUGENE S. (BUCK) CLARKE FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE.
WHEREAS, Senator Eugene S. (Buck) Clarke is retiring from the Mississippi Senate to run for higher office after serving 16 years in the Senate (2004-present); and
WHEREAS, Senator Buck Clarke is a man of integrity and hard work with a complete knowledge of Mississippi's budget-writing system, and there is an acknowledged respect of our esteemed colleague, gentleman and enlightened lawmaker; and
WHEREAS, Senator Clarke is a Certified Public Accountant and has been a partner of Clarke, Bradley, Baker & Company, LLP since 1979. Senator Clarke has been uniquely positioned to serve and fight for Mississippians. He has served four terms in the Mississippi Legislature, 16 years in the Senate, with four years as Chairman of Insurance and the last eight years as Chairman of Appropriations. His Appropriations Chairmanship, which involves setting the budget of each agency in state government, has enabled him to be deeply involved in understanding the different needs of each state agency. As Appropriations Chairman of the Mississippi Senate, Clarke fought to balance the budget every year. "It's given me the opportunity to look deeply into every facet of state government," Clarke said of his time leading the budget-setting Appropriations Committee; and
WHEREAS, Clarke's Senate district stretches from the Delta down into the Jackson suburbs. It includes parts of Bolivar, Humphreys, Madison, Sharkey, Washington and Yazoo Counties; and
WHEREAS, Senator Clarke has stated that he believes in small government. "Government holds us back when it taxes and spends too much," Clarke said. "Mississippians succeed when we are allowed to keep more of what we earn to invest in new jobs and opportunity." Senator Clarke's leadership in government transparency resulted in "sweeping" all special funds into the State General Fund which has given Mississippi a true picture of its financial statement; and
WHEREAS, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Mississippi State University. He is the proud husband of Paula Clarke, father of three children, Anne Read, Carlisle and Ellen, and grandfather to three grandchildren. He is a member of Hollandale First United Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, Senator Clarke's service has been marked by his commitment to success and recognized leadership, sound judgment and fairness. He has set the highest standard in all his many roles, as a father, husband, businessman, Scout Leader, citizen, statesman and leader in the Mississippi Senate and as a true friend:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and recognize Senator Buck Clarke, whose outstanding service enriched everyone with whom
he was associated, and we wish Buck and his family much success in their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Senator Buck Clarke and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.