House Resolution 38

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE STELLAR CAREER OF DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER, FORMER STATE SENATOR, FORMER MISSISSIPPI REPRESENTATIVE AND VIETNAM VETERAN, THE HONORABLE THOMAS EDWARD (TOM) KING, JR., AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, after 31 years of elected public service, 19 of which were shared in dual roles within the Mississippi Legislation, initially as a member of the House of Representatives after being elected in 1993, before his subsequent election to the Mississippi Senate in 2000, and the remaining and most recent 12 years as the Southern District Transportation Commissioner for the Mississippi Department of Transportation since his 2012 election, the Honorable Thomas Edward (Tom) King, Jr., current chair of the commission, announced his planned entry into the sacred institute of retirement upon the conclusion of his current term; and

WHEREAS, a Hattiesburg native, Commissioner King graduated from Petal High School before becoming a "Golden Eagle" and proud alum of the University of Southern Mississippi in 1973, holding a bachelor of science degree; and

WHEREAS, with an intrepid allegiance to God and country, a young King donned the garbs of patriotism as a member of the United States Air Force, serving in the Vietnam War as an air policeman, a loyalty that extended well beyond his military career, as evidenced by his membership with the Rotary Club, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW); and

WHEREAS, Commissioner King's record of elected public service, as both a state legislator and transportation commissioner are adorned with an exhaustive list of significant accomplishments which have proved beneficial through their meaningful impacts upon the State of Mississippi, including: timely and significant recognitions of Mississippians who have made substantial contributions to highlight Mississippi's greatest talents, attributes and resources; authoring a $300 million bond bill for highway and bridges; the promotion of safety for cyclists with the passage of the "John Paul Frerer Bicycle Act"; and the creation of the Mississippi Wireless Communications Commission; and

WHEREAS, for his unwavering commitment to excellence through service, Commissioner King's selflessness has not gone unnoticed, and has been acknowledged with numerous awards and honors, including: the 2022 Friendship Oak Award from the University of Southern Mississippi; the 2011 Mississippi Municipal League Legislator of the Year; the 2010 Hattiesburg's Veteran of the Year; the American Legion Meritorious Service Award recipient in 2007; and Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Legislator of the Year in 2002; and

WHEREAS, a servant-leader who has exemplified the finest qualities of deference, humility, compromise and inclusivity, Commissioner King has been the recipient of the steadfast love and support of his wife, Susan Lynn Patterson King, along with his two sons, Clay and Chad, and two grandchildren, whom he considers his greatest assets and most cherished possessions; and

WHEREAS, leaving behind a legacy of accomplishments as a gentleman, statesman, scholar and servant whose unmatched commitment to leadership, sound judgment and fairness have established a benchmark of excellence to his credit and reputation as a husband, father, businessman, officer, citizen, statesman and leader in the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the stellar service of public servants of Commissioner King's astute caliber, whose reputation as an exceptional steward of public trust precedes him and has established him as an audacious ambassador for the state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the stellar career of distinguished public service of Southern District Transportation Commissioner, former State Senator, former Mississippi Representative and Vietnam Veteran, the Honorable Thomas Edward (Tom) King, Jr., congratulate him upon the occasion of his retirement, and extend best wishes for good health and success in the lighter years ahead.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Honorable Commissioner Thomas Edward (Tom) King, Jr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.