MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Moran, Carter, DeLano, England, Seymour, Thompson, Wiggins, Barnett, Butler (38th), Chassaniol, DeBar, Hill, Horhn, Jackson, Kirby, McCaughn
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING, CONGRATULATING, AND THANKING MYRTIS FRANKE FOR HER LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Myrtis Franke, a Louisiana native, has resided in Gulfport, Mississippi, for 53 years. During that time, she has made, and continues to make, a remarkable difference in the lives of many Mississippians; and
WHEREAS, while attending Louisiana State University and working in Baton Rouge, she met Paul Franke, Jr., a Gulfport, Mississippi native, who was in the process of moving back to Mississippi to attend law school. They dated long distance for more than a year, and then married and resided in Mississippi. In 1969, Myrtis and Paul Franke, Jr., were living in Jackson, Mississippi, when Paul accepted a job with a law firm in his hometown of Gulfport. They were scheduled to move during the same week that Hurricane Camille devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast; and
WHEREAS, undeterred, Myrtis and Paul kept their plans and moved to Gulfport. Upon arrival, Myrtis immediately rolled up her sleeves and got to work on relief efforts through her volunteer work and employment at the Small Business Administration. Gradually, the Mississippi Coast recovered, and Myrtis went on to serve and engage in many civic organizations, as well as to achieve numerous professional and personal honors; and
WHEREAS, for more than 25 years, Myrtis has served as a congressional staffer on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She has had the honor of working as the Southern District Director for both United States Senators Trent Lott and Thad Cochran. Ms. Franke currently serves as the District Director for United States Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. Her position has provided her with the resources to pursue her true passion of helping others; and
WHEREAS, although most of Ms. Franke's time is spent relentlessly advocating for constituents needing federal assistance, she is well-known in Mississippi as the "go-to" person for anyone who needs help, especially those who have exhausted all other available resources; and
WHEREAS, when two dozen Air Force Generals from bases across the country convened at Keesler in May of 2021 for a visit called the "Gathering of the Torch," Biloxi's Mayor Andrew "Fofo" Gilich, Jr., presented his own welcoming party of the local top brass, which included Brigadier General Rich Moss, Lieutenant General Mike Peterson, Lieutenant General Clark Griffith, and Myrtis Franke, whom, to her embarrassment, he referred to as "the power-behind-the-throne"; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Franke has served on numerous boards that contribute to medical care in Mississippi, including the Mississippi State Board of Health, Governor Fordice's Medicaid Committee, and the Fisher House of Keesler. She also served on the Board of Trustees of Memorial Hospital of Gulfport for 20 years, 18 of which she served as Chairman of the Board. During her service to Memorial Hospital, she helped to establish 14 school health clinics that are operated by Memorial Hospital; and
WHEREAS, among her other volunteer work, Myrtis also served on the Board of the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, the Mid-South Housing Foundation Advisory Board, and as President of the Spanish Trail Heritage Foundation, the organization which oversees the preservation and restoration of the historic Grass Lawn home in Gulfport; and
WHEREAS, among her other achievements, Myrtis was the recipient of the Donald Sutter Award for Community Service, an award for Superior Public Service to the Navy Meteorology and Oceanographic Command, and an award in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom from the Forward Operations Base, in Shank, Afghanistan. Ms. Franke has been recognized by the Navy Seals Unit, NAVSCIATTS, for her support in helping NAVSCIATTS develop and maintain strategic relationships with their diverse partner forces and increasing their capabilities and capacity to advance the interest of the United States and our allies. Myrtis was the recipient of the Mississippi Woman "Power of One" Award, presented by Governor Kirk Fordice, for leading change in the areas of youth, community and mental health. Ms. Franke also received an award for her work on the recovery of the Mississippi Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina; and
WHEREAS, as one colleague stated, "Myrtis is a problem-solver, and she knows how to get to a yes." Her tenacity and determination, as well as her heart for serving others, has allowed her to touch the lives of many Mississippians, and has made her the successful person who she is today:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, that we do hereby commend and congratulate and thank Myrtis Franke for her lifetime of service to the State of Mississippi. We extend to Ms. Franke our gratitude, and our best wishes for her future endeavors and successes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be presented to Myrtis Franke and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.