MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Fillingane, Johnson, Michel, Barnett, Branning, Butler (38th), Chassaniol, DeBar, Hopson, Kirby, Norwood, Parker, Sparks
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF FORMER STATE SENATOR CHARLES STEVENS (STEVE) SEALE OF HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI, AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO HIS CAREER OF PUBLIC AND CHARITABLE SERVICE.
WHEREAS, we join the residents of the Mississippi Senate District 45 and state leaders in mourning the death of former Mississippi State Senator Charles Stevens (Steve) Seale, who served in Senate District 45 from 1993-1996. Senator Seale passed away on August 25, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Steve was born December 18, 1953. After graduating from Petal High School, he attended the University of Mississippi, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science and pledged Sigma Nu. In 1987, he obtained his law degree from the University of Mississippi, where he won the Legal Writing Award; and
WHEREAS, from 1979 to 1984, Steve served on active duty as an officer in the United States Navy and served in the Naval Reserve from 1986 through 1991. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander and was an Operations, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Intelligence Officer; and
WHEREAS, Steve began his law career in Hattiesburg at Heidelberg, Sutherland and McKenzie, before moving on to work at a variety of law firms in public policy and government relations; and
WHEREAS, Senator Seale proudly served as a member of the Mississippi Senate, where he was Chairman of the Municipalities Committee, and later as Chief Counsel to the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Senator Trent Lott. Prior to retiring, Steve held the position of Vice President of State and Local Government Relations for the State and Local Government Affairs Program (SAP); and
WHEREAS, Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Seale and Lucile Stevens Seale. He is survived by his two daughters, Caitlin Watts (Ben) and Elise Seale, his greatest joys in life, and his brother, Richard Seale (Scott); and
WHEREAS, in his lifetime of service and dedication to his community, Steve Seale 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, Steve Seale will be missed by his family, friends and associates; and
WHEREAS, Senator Seale felt honored to be a member of the State Legislature, where he truly enjoyed serving 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 and formed lasting friendships in the Capitol. Senator Seale was a 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 and friend of Mississippi:
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 State Senator Steve Seale of Hattiesburg, 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 Charles Stevens (Steve) Seale, forwarded to former United States Senator Trent Lott, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.