House Concurrent Resolution 62

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ESTEEMED AND LAUDABLE LEGISLATIVE CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE MOST HONORABLE AND DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM RANKIN, REPRESENTATIVE TOM WEATHERSBY, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WHEREAS, the honorable and distinguished Gentleman from Rankin, Representative Tom Weathersby has announced his plans for retirement from the Mississippi House of Representatives at the conclusion of the 2023 Regular Session of the Mississippi Legislature, after tirelessly working on behalf of the citizens of Mississippi and House District 62, situated in Rankin County, for 32 consecutive years from the historical floor of the majestically aesthetic, ornate and hallowed House Chamber; and

WHEREAS, before assuming his seat as the member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from District 62, Representative Weathersby led an exciting life as an exceptional basketball player at Florence High School, who acquired the nicknames "Shorty" and "Stump" due to his height, an whose extraordinary skills afforded him the privileges of playing in the Mississippi High School All Star Basketball Game during his senior year and earning a basketball scholarship to Hinds Junior College, where he played for two years before transferring to the University of Southern Mississippi to complete his college matriculation with a bachelor's degree in education; and

WHEREAS, an individual held in high esteem for maintaining a reputable rapport with his peers, it was evident early in Representative Weathersby's formative years that he was poised for leadership after his selection as Mr. Florence High School and President of his high school senior class, a characterization of respect that followed him to Hinds, where he was also elected as President of the Student Body and Mr. Hinds Junior College; and

WHEREAS, holding fast to the powerful impacts made by his high school teachers upon his life, Representative Weathersby deemed it befitting to return to his high school alma mater, as a teacher and coach in 1967, in an effort to make similar strides to positively influence the lives of the state's next generation of ambitious leaders; and

WHEREAS, during his 13 year tenure in education, Representative Weathersby coached the Florence High School "Lady Eagles" Girls Basketball Team, earning the Little Dixie Conference's "Coach of the Year" honor in 1969, capturing the 1970 state championship with the Lady Eagles in 1970, while simultaneously working to obtain a master's degree from Mississippi College, which positioned him to become principal of the Florence Elementary School and thereafter appointed as assistant principal at Florence High School; and

WHEREAS, in transitioning from the classroom and school administrator's roles to the business arena, Representative Weathersby joined his brother Lynn at King Weathersby Appliance Company in 1982, working alongside his brother for 10 years, before pursuing dual endeavors as an entrepreneurial owner and operator of Atlas Pallet Company, in Florence from 1990 until 2008, when he sold the business; and

WHEREAS, an aspiring politician, he set his sights upon the Mississippi Legislature, and upon a successful election bid in 1991, Tom Weathersby became the distinguished Gentleman from Rankin upon being sworn into office on the first day of his first legislative session in January 1992, and wasted no time requesting the legislation, amendments and reports that would help effectuate into law the ideologies and policy changes that his constituents had elected him to further, and which he personally supported important contributions to the state's most progressive advancements, including: providing for a constitutional initiative process in 1992, which allowed the citizens to propose and approve changes to the Mississippi Constitution; creating the Court of Appeals of Mississippi in 1993, which helped relieve the burden on the Mississippi Supreme Court in hearing and deciding appeals; and the creation of the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund in 1994, which reduced the high cost of car tags; and Mississippi Tax Freedom Act of 2022, which provided the largest tax cut in state history; and

WHEREAS, Representative Weathersby served during the terms of 15 of the highest-ranking officers in the executive and legislative branches during his nearly five decades in the House, including six governors, beginning with Ray Maybus, six lieutenant governors, beginning with Eddie Briggs, and three House speakers, beginning with Tim Ford; and

WHEREAS, Representative Weathersby's love and deeply felt respect for the Legislature as a hallowed institution has led his fight to preserve and nurture its integrity for all legislators who equally hold a lion's share in the stake of advancing the direction of the state's economic, educational and political climate; and

WHEREAS, during his long tenure as a member of the House, Representative Weathersby has held a number of positions of leadership, including: Vice Chairman of the Public Utilities Committee from 1996 until 2000; Vice Chairman of the Public Buildings, Grounds and Lands Committee (now Public Property) from 2000 until 2004; Chairman of the Public Property Committee from 2004 until 2008 and again from 2012 until 2024; Vice Chairman of the Municipalities Committee from 2008 until 2012; Vice Chairman of the Management Committee; and he also served as a member of the Committees on Agriculture; Appropriations; Banking and Financial Services; Conservation and Water Resources; Corrections; County Affairs; Education; Energy; Insurance; Oil, Gas and Other Minerals; Public Health and Welfare (now Public Health and Human Services); Transportation; and Ways and Means; and

WHEREAS, not one to limit his community involvement to the Legislature, Representative Weathersby has always been active in his district and dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens, as evidenced by his service as a deacon, a Mason, member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Florence Lions Club, member of the Rankin and Copiah Counties Chambers of Commerce, Mississippi Cattlemen's Association, Kiwanis, ALEC and the NRA; and

WHEREAS, while Representative Weathersby is known and admired for his always positive outlook, his easy-going temperament, his insightful intellect and his passion for important issues, and he has always been and remains a exceptional gentleman, grounded in integrity, highly regarded for his understanding of the ultimate purpose of legislation, which is to help people, and he continually seeks to improve the lives of others through his hard work, positive example and the undeniable truths of the Word of God, which have manifested in numerous honors bestowed upon him, such as Hinds Community College's Alumnus of the Year in 2009, induction into the 2006 Class of the Hinds Community College Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, and selection as one of Hinds Community College's 100 Most Passionate People about Hinds in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Representative Weathersby's life is a true testament to his faith and God being a rewarder of those who diligently seek him, as he has endured and victoriously conquered numerous health challenges, including two Stage 4 cancers, an emergency triple bypass heart surgery, all the while enduring chemotherapy and radiation treatments, which would deplete an average individual's strength, but he has earned a true badge of honor as a real-life Superman, as he continues to lead a purpose-driven life by feeding 35 cows in two different pastures located six miles apart every day, manually keeps his home pool clean, bush hogs all pastures, mows three yards, cuts wood for the fireplace and honoring the requests of a sometimes demanding "honey-do" list, all the while endeavoring his best to meet the needs of his District 62 constituents; and

WHEREAS, leaving the Capitol will not end Representative Weathersby's passion for public service, and retiring from the Legislature does not mean that he is retiring, period, as he plans to maintain his active community involvement on the local level just as he has at the State Capitol, and wants to continue to make a difference wherever and in whatever capacity that he has; and

WHEREAS, the members of the House will cherish the bond and common goals for the betterment of this great state shared with Representative Weathersby over the past 32 years, and his impeccable service, devotion and unparalleled commitment to the Mississippi Legislature and to the constituents of District 62 will be greatly missed; and

WHEREAS, the service of Representative Weathersby would be without honor but for the continued support, encouragement and love of his family, who have endured the daunting struggles that accompany the life of an elected official, and much credit is also due to his loved ones who have sacrificed countless hours without him in order to allow him to fulfill his legislative obligations, including: his wife of 56 years, Beverly Cook Weathersby; sons, Tommy, Clay and Bradley; and grandchildren, Cabe, Cook, Kelsey, Grayson, Morgan, Braxton and Shelby; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor the indelible legacy of remarkable service of our colleague and friend, Representative Tom Weathersby, who represented his district, the House of Representatives and the people of this state with honor and intrepid dignity:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the esteemed and laudable legislative career and public service of the most honorable, distinguished and senior Gentleman from Rankin, Representative Tom Weathersby, and express fondest respect and best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Representative Tom Weathersby and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.