House Resolution 66

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED AND LAUDABLE CAREER OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE HONORABLE JUDITH "JUDY" HALL MCLEOD, WARD 2 ALDERWOMAN FOR THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM PUBLIC OFFICE.

WHEREAS, Honorable Judith "Judy" Hall McLeod, Ward 2 Alderwoman and Mayor Pro Tempore of Louisville, Mississippi, and community leader extraordinaire, is retiring from elected office after selflessly dedicating 20 years of illustrious service and competent guidance to the wonderful people of Louisville, effective June 30, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Louisville has benefitted tremendously from the cardinal guidance and innate leadership abilities of Alderwoman McLeod, who was first elected to office to assume the role of Ward 2 Alderwoman on July 1, 2001, and represented the citizenry of Louisville as a faithful servant and ambassador; and

WHEREAS, undergirded with a learned and structured approach to governance, "Judy," as she is most affectionately referred to as, has utilized her rapport with citizens and her objective approach to leadership to serve her colleagues and the citizens of Louisville with an unbiased deference, fairness, efficiency and effectiveness throughout her tenure on the board as a "Certified Municipal Official"; and

WHEREAS, after several years of providing unparalleled service, no matter how large or small the scale, to her constituency, and championing those matters that were for the betterment of the entirety of Louisville, retirement will surely leave an insatiable void for governing and mingling with Louisville's finest in the heart of Alderwoman McLeod, but she is overjoyed to rest, relax and reflect on the countless number of remarkable people that have touched her life throughout her career as an elected official of her beloved Louisville; and

WHEREAS, Alderwoman McLeod, a retired educator of the Louisville Municipal School District, used her natural love of learning to sharpen her political acumen, and in turn impart her acquired knowledge into relationship building with her fellow elected colleagues, as well as in the development of policy to enhance the quality of life for her constituency, as indicated by her selection to the membership of the Louisville delegation which traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the city's interests; and

WHEREAS, in announcing her decision to retire from the Louisville Board of Aldermen, Alderwoman McLeod paves the way for a new representative to seize the mantle of servanthood with the same zeal and selfless tenor to which she applied her knowledge, skill, strenuous and sometimes unpopular laboring, which will be dearly missed by all of her colleagues and others who were fortunate to have the opportunity to work with her and experience her greatness; and

WHEREAS, the service of Alderwoman McLeod would be without honor but for the continued support, encouragement and love of her family, who endured the daunting struggles that accompany the life of an elected official, and much credit is also due to her loved ones, including her late husband, Robert "Bob" C. McLeod, who also had a lengthy career as a Louisville Alderman prior to Judy's election, two late sons, Hank and Will McLeod, who sacrificed countless hours without her in order to allow her to fulfill her obligations as an educator and public servant; and

WHEREAS, equally committed to civic engagement as she was to a life of engaging service, Alderwoman McLeod donned many hats as a dedicated member of First Methodist Church of Louisville, the Rotary Club, Fortnightly Club, Food Alliance Board, and Daughters of the American Revolution, but the role she is most significantly proud of, is that of grandmother to her only grandchild, a grandson who shares his uncle's namesake, Hank McLeod; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the tireless devotion to the betterment of Mississippi and honor the ardent vow to impeccable public service that Honorable Alderwoman Judith "Judy" Hall McLeod bestowed to the citizens of Louisville, Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the distinguished and laudable career of public service of the Honorable Judith "Judy" Hall McLeod, Ward 2 Alderwoman for the City of Louisville, Mississippi, upon the occasion of her retirement, and extend sincere wishes for continued success and joy in the lighter days ahead.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Alderwoman Judith "Judy" Hall McLeod and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.