MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Fillingane, Barnett, Branning, Butler (38th), Caughman, Chassaniol, DeBar, England, Hopson, Jackson, Johnson, Kirby, McCaughn, McMahan, Michel, Moran, Norwood, Parker, Seymour, Suber, Thomas, Thompson, Simmons (13th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING SOUTHERN DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER, FORMER STATE SENATOR, FORMER MISSISSIPPI REPRESENTATIVE AND VIETNAM VETERAN THOMAS EDWARD (TOM) KING, JR., FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, after serving as Southern District Transportation Commissioner since 2012, Tom King announced Wednesday he will not seek reelection in 2023. Commissioner King is currently in his third term and serves as Chair of the Mississippi Transportation Commission. He will fulfill the remainder of his term and retire effective December 31, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Tom King is a man of integrity and hard work with an extensive knowledge of Mississippi's highway system. There is an acknowledged respect for our esteemed colleague, gentleman and enlightened lawmaker; and
WHEREAS, prior to his tenure as Southern District Transportation Commissioner, King served as a state lawmaker for nearly 20 years. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1993, and in 2000, he began his tenure in the Senate from District 44, representing Forrest, Lamar and Perry Counties; and
WHEREAS, most notably, King authored Senate Bill 3181, the $300 million bond bill for highways and bridges and Senate Bill 3014, known as the "John Paul Frerer Bicycle Act," which promotes safety for cyclists on the roadways. In 2005, he authored Senate Bill 2514 that created the Mississippi Wireless Communications Commission, which ensures that Mississippi's emergency responders and law enforcement officers have the means to communicate regardless of any disaster; and
WHEREAS, he is a graduate of Petal High School and the University of Southern Mississippi. He was the owner of King & Associates, a historical restoration consulting and contracting business; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner King is a proud veteran of the Vietnam War, having served his country in the Air Force as an Air Policeman. He is affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, American Legion and VFW; and
WHEREAS, King has received many professional 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 in 2007 and Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Legislator of the Year in 2002; and
WHEREAS, he lives in Hattiesburg with his wife, the former Susan Lynn Patterson, and has two children and two grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, "Commissioner King has served the state well for more than 30 years of his life," says Brad White, MDOT Executive Director. "He has a legacy of accomplishments as a statesman and will certainly be missed at MDOT." Commissioner King's service has been marked by his commitment to success and recognized leadership, sound judgment and fairness. He has set the highest standard in each of his many roles, as a father, husband, businessman, officer, citizen, statesman and leader in the Mississippi Legislature and as a true friend:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Southern District Transportation Commissioner, former State Senator, former Mississippi Representative and Vietnam Veteran Thomas Edward (Tom) King, Jr., for his distinguished public service on the occasion of his retirement, whose outstanding service enriched everyone with whom he was associated, and we wish Tom and his family much success in their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Commissioner Tom King, Jr., forwarded to the Mississippi Department of Transportation and be made available to Capitol Press Corps.