MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Kirby, Frazier, DeBar, Parker, Michel, Butler (38th), Blackwell, England
A RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AND RECOGNIZE DISTRICT 21 STATE SENATOR BARBARA BLACKMON FOR HER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE.
WHEREAS, District 21 State Senator Barbara Blackmon has announced that she will not be seeking reelection to the Mississippi Senate. She has represented Senate District 21, which includes portions of Attala, Holmes, Leake, Madison and Yazoo Counties, since 2016. She previously served in the Mississippi Senate from 1992 to 2004, and again from 2016 to 2023. In Barbara Blackmon, the citizens of District 21 have had effective representation from a dedicated public servant with extensive experience in the practice of law; and
WHEREAS, Senator Blackmon is proud of her accomplishments in the Legislature, and said she has always enjoyed working in the Senate; and
WHEREAS, Senator Blackmon graduated from Jackson State University, B.S. Business Administration; University of Alabama M.B.A.; University of Mississippi, Juris Doctorate; and New York University, L.L.M. (Taxation); and
WHEREAS, Senator Blackmon is an attorney and is a member of The Mississippi State Bar, New York State Bar, Magnolia Bar Association and Life Member of the NAACP; and
WHEREAS, as a State Senator, Senator Blackmon worked to increase funding for all of Mississippi's state colleges and universities. She supported the Mississippi Adequate Education Program to provide equity to poorer school districts and was a champion for senior citizens and children by being a strong and effective voice for sound health care policies. Lieutenant Governor Eddie Briggs recognized Barbara's vast business and legal capacity and because of her significant business background, Senator Blackmon was appointed to the Senate Finance Committee where as a new Senator she was appointed Vice Chair where she advocated for more economic development in the poorer areas of the state as well as record construction investments at Mississippi's universities and junior colleges. Lieutenant Governor Eddie Briggs, also appointed Barbara to the Legislative Budget Committee, and she was the first female ever appointed to the committee from the State Senate. The committee sets the state's budget prior to the Legislature convening. Barbara Blackmon was the first African American in the Senate to be appointed to a subcommittee chair on the Appropriations Committee where she oversaw over $350 Million in agency budgets; and
WHEREAS, Senator Blackmon served as President of the National Black Caucus of States Institute, a public policy think tank which developed parallel to the National Black Caucus of State Legislators from 2002-2010. She is a former Co-Chair of the National Campaign for Jackson State University's $50 Million Campaign for scholarships, endowments and programs and served on the Board of Directors for the Jackson State University Foundation. She served on the Steering Committee for the B.B. King Museum in Indianola, Mississippi. She has served on the Board of Directors of the United Way of the Capitol Area, the Boys and Girls Club of Central Mississippi, the Stewpot of Canton, the American Red Cross Central Mississippi Chapter and as President of the Foundation for Education and Economic Development among other community and professional associations. Barbara and her husband, Representative Edward Blackmon, Jr., received an award for Black Philanthropy for having given $1,000,000.00 to Tougaloo College, $750,000.00 to Jackson State University, and providing scholarships and awards to 53 students; and
WHEREAS, at the beginning of the 2023 Regular Session, Senator Blackmon served on the following committees: Housing, Chair; Highways and Transportation, Vice-Chair; Finance; Insurance; Judiciary, Division A; Local and Private; Medicaid; and Public Health and Welfare; and
WHEREAS, Senator Blackmon is married to Edward Blackmon, Jr. They have two sons, Madison Edward Blackmon and Bradford Jerome Blackmon; and
WHEREAS, Senator Blackmon's service has been marked by her commitment to success and recognized leadership, sound judgment, civility, courtesy and fairness. She has set the highest standard in all of her many roles: wife, mother, attorney, radio communicator, statesman, community leader and leader in the Mississippi Senate. Senator Blackmon's service honored both the Mississippi Senate and this great state that she loves and serves:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and recognize District 21 State Senator Barbara Blackmon for her distinguished service in the Mississippi Senate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Senator Barbara Blackmon and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.