MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Michel, Horhn, Hopson, Frazier, Barnett, Boyd, Branning, Caughman, Chassaniol, DeBar, Fillingane, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Simmons (13th), Sparks, Thompson
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND RECOGNIZING THE ENDURING INFLUENCE OF MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS AND CIVIC LEADER LELAND RHYMES SPEED OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE SENATE TO HIS BEREAVED FAMILY.
WHEREAS, Leland R. Speed, a business and civic giant in Mississippi and former Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority, passed away on January 27, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Leland Speed was founder and Chairman of Parkway Properties, Inc., and EastGroup Properties, Inc., both New York Stock Exchange-listed companies located in Jackson, Mississippi, and a member of the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, he was active in civic affairs and served on numerous boards, including the Jackson State University Development Foundation and as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Mississippi College. He was also one of the driving forces behind the Lefleur East Neighborhood Association and the Two Lakes Flood Control Project in Jackson. He served as the head of the Mississippi Development Authority during the Haley Barbour administration through Hurricane Katrina; and WHEREAS, Leland graduated from Central High School in Jackson in 1950 and then went to Georgia Tech site unseen, "for the challenge," graduating in 1954. After serving in Air Force intelligence, he proceeded to Harvard Business School where he graduated in 1958. After graduate school, Leland moved back to Jackson, joining his father, former Mayor of Jackson, Leland Speed Sr., aka "Pappy," in the securities business. The two Speeds also worked in the real estate business, developing the Eastover Subdivision in northeast Jackson. Leland's passion for community and civic involvement took off. He, along with three of his contemporaries, helped found Northminster Baptist Church in 1967, saying "Are we going to talk about it, or are we going to do something about it"? He taught Sunday School at Northminster for 45 years. He helped found Downtown Jackson Partners, and his companies contributed greatly to the development of downtown Jackson. Leland enjoyed long-time service on the Mississippi College Board of Trustees as well as on the Jackson State University Foundation; and
WHEREAS, his service to community culminated in a stint as Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) under Governor Haley Barbour. At MDA, where Leland worked for $1.00 per year, he helped formulate plans for the Gulf Coast recovery after Hurricane Katrina. Leland also helped pioneer the charter school movement in Mississippi with RePublic Schools, improving the lives of so many children and families just looking for an opportunity. He held leadership roles in numerous other civic organizations, devoting countless hours to the betterment of the community. Leland was passionate about Jackson and Mississippi, and it showed in his decades of service; and
WHEREAS, Leland is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Bessie Sarphie Speed; their three boys, Stewart, Forrest (Mary Kelly) and Warren (Marla); and nine wonderful grandchildren: Collins, Isabelle, Warner, Bennett, Elizabeth, Graham, Preston, Mary Locke and Katherine. He is also survived by siblings Shelly, Joe (Nancy) and Lake (Rice). He is predeceased by his parents and younger brother James; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi with enormous civic energy, who will be missed:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and recognize the enduring influence of Mississippi business and civic leader Leland Rhymes Speed of Jackson, Mississippi, and extend the deepest sympathy of the Senate to his bereaved family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Leland Speed, forwarded to the Mississippi Development Authority, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.