MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2020 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Boyd, Suber, Chism, Parks, Sparks, Whaley, Hopson, Branning, McDaniel

Senate Resolution 40

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO THE DISTINGUISHED LEGAL CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF THIRD DISTRICT CIRCUIT JUDGE ANDREW K. HOWORTH OF OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE BENCH.

     WHEREAS, we join The Mississippi Bar and the citizens of the Third Circuit Court District in honoring the judicial service of Judge Andrew K. Howorth of Oxford, Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, Circuit Judge Andrew K. Howorth of Oxford, Mississippi, will retire June 30, 2020, after 18-1/2 years of service; and

     WHEREAS, Governor Ronnie Musgrove appointed Judge Howorth to a vacancy on the Third Circuit Court.  He was sworn in January 2, 2002, and was elected to five terms of the Third Circuit Court, which includes Benton, Calhoun, Chickasaw, Lafayette, Marshall, Tippah and Union Counties.  He is the Senior Judge of three judges on the Third Circuit Court; and

     WHEREAS, Judge Howorth presides over a Drug Court which he founded in 2007.  The Third Circuit Drug Court, with 348 participants currently enrolled, is one of the largest intervention courts in the state.  He has served for the past year and a half on the State Intervention Courts Advisory Committee; and

     WHEREAS, Judge Howorth has been a leader among the circuit judges, serving as Vice Chair, then Chair of the Conference of Circuit Court Judges.  He has taken an active role in planning the curriculum of continuing education for his fellow judges, serving on the Board of Governors of the Mississippi Judicial College; and

     WHEREAS, he is a native of Oxford and a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law.  He was admitted to the practice of law in 1987.  His private law practice included representing defendants and plaintiffs in civil litigation; and     WHEREAS, Judge Howorth was named Oxford's Citizen of the Year in 2019.  He has served as a leader and mentor and consistently lectured on professional standards of the practice, including ethics, integrity, civility, courtesy and adherence to the Golden Rule.  His judicial service honored both The Mississippi Bar, his community and the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the recognition of the Mississippi Senate to the distinguished legal career and public service of Third District Circuit Court Judge Andrew K. Howorth of Oxford, Mississippi, upon the occasion of his retirement from the bench and send our best wishes to Judge Howorth and his family on this auspicious occasion.

     Be it further resolved, that this resolution be presented to Judge Howorth, forwarded to the Mississippi Conference of Circuit Court Judges, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.