MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Wiggins, Kirby, Barnett, Barrett, Blackwell, Boyd, Chism, DeBar, England, Frazier, Hopson, McLendon, Michel, Parker, Seymour, Suber, Thomas, Thompson, Whaley, Williams, Jackson (32nd), Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Sparks
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF FORMER SENATOR THOMAS OLIVER "TOMMY" MOFFATT, SR., OF GAUTIER, MISSISSIPPI, AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO HIS CAREER OF PUBLIC AND CHARITABLE SERVICE.
WHEREAS, we join the residents of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and state leaders in mourning the death of former Mississippi State Senator Thomas Oliver "Tommy" Moffatt, Sr., who passed away on November 12, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Tommy was born on August 17, 1935, in Savannah, Georgia, but was raised and lived in Jackson County, Mississippi, from the age of one. He was a 1953 graduate of Pascagoula High School where he played football and was Senior Class President. He attended Perkinston Junior College where he served as Freshman Class President, was a Duke in the Annual Ball, was a member of the Homecoming Court and served on the Student Council. He transferred to Mississippi State University where he majored in Geological Sciences and served as Vice President of Sigma Gamma Epsilon, an honorary Earth Sciences fraternity. He also served as Vice President of the Dip & Strike, an organization promoting social and service activities within the Geology Department. He graduated with his Petroleum Engineering Degree in 1958. He served as a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard from 1953-1961; and
WHEREAS, in retirement, Moffatt faithfully served the residents of District 52 as Mississippi State Senator from 1996 to 2012; and
WHEREAS, Tommy was a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) where he served as Vice State Chair. He was committed to energy and the environment serving as Chairman of The Energy Council, an international legislative organization comprised of twelve member states and six international affiliates that provides a forum for discussing government policies regarding energy and the environment. He also was active in the Center for Legislative Energy and Environment Research (CLEER); and
WHEREAS, Tommy was an avid Mississippi State Bulldog Club member and football fan. He grew up on the Pascagoula River and the coast was always in his blood. His father, a local Scoutmaster, instilled a love of the outdoors which remained with him his entire life. He was a longtime faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Pascagoula where he served as an Elder, Treasurer, Trustee and Sunday School Teacher; and
WHEREAS, in his lifetime of service and dedication to his community, Tommy always remained a loyal friend who maintained strong convictions and was dedicated to treating people fairly and in a straightforward manner. With an unflinching duty to public service and a commitment to making this world a better place, Tommy will be missed by his family, friends, and associates; and
WHEREAS, Tommy is preceded in death by his parents, Hal D. Moffatt and Violet Taylor Moffatt; and brothers, James Franklin Moffatt and Hal Denning Moffatt. He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Bess McKellar Moffatt; son, Thomas (Zhao Zhe) Moffatt, Jr.; daughter, Stacy Moffatt (Stacy Joe) Carmichael; grandchildren: Haley Summers, Taylor (Jeff) Cook, Thomas Mac Moffatt, Vincent Moffatt, Max Moffatt, Anna Caitlin Carmichael, Abigail Carmichael (Lance) Smith, and Amelia Carmichael; five loving great-grandchildren; sister, Judith (Kenney) Trimble; and many nieces, nephews and cherished friends; and
WHEREAS, Senator Moffatt felt honored to be a member of the State Legislature where he truly enjoyed and took seriously the duties and responsibilities of serving the people. He loved and respected the body of the State Senate, its traditions, its procedures, and the camaraderie of the men and women with whom he worked in the Capitol. He formed lasting friendships there.
Senator Moffatt was a genuine, humble man of strong principles and integrity who cared about doing the right thing and was very good at making government work to serve the needs of his community and the people of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi and friend:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the deepest sympathy of the Legislature to the bereaved family of former Senator Thomas Oliver Moffatt, Sr., of Gautier, Mississippi, and pay tribute to his career of public and charitable service.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of former Senator Tommy Moffatt, Sr., forwarded to the Alumni Association of Mississippi State University, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.