Senate Resolution 115

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC LEGAL SERVICE OF FORMER STATE SENATOR, LAUDERDALE COUNTY PROSECUTOR AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY, MISSISSIPPI WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION CHAIRMAN AND WORLD WAR II VETERAN, JOE CLAY HAMILTON, OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS ON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, the Legislature and the State of Mississippi lost a wonderful colleague, well-known and respected attorney, long-tenured public servant, former State Senator and former District Attorney, Chairman of the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission, distinguished World War II veteran, and gentleman, Joe Clay Hamilton, 95, of Meridian, Mississippi, who passed away on April 11, 2023; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of the University of Mississippi School Law, he was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1959 and practiced law for more than 50 years; and

WHEREAS, Senator Hamilton served in the United States Army during World War II and was stationed in the Pacific; and

WHEREAS, Senator Hamilton served as Chairman of the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission; and

WHEREAS, he was elected Lauderdale County Prosecutor for two terms and as District Attorney for the 10th Judicial District for two years; and

WHEREAS, Senator Hamilton represented Lauderdale County as a State Senator for a single term; and

WHEREAS, he was honored as Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2010 by the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association (now the Mississippi Association for Justice); and

WHEREAS, during his legislative career, Hamilton was awarded the Advocacy Award by the Mississippi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence for his role in the passage of spousal abuse laws; and

WHEREAS, in 1995, for his role in sponsoring and supporting legislation promoting equality under the law, the NAACP honored Hamilton with its Certificate of Excellence; and

WHEREAS, Senator Hamilton is survived by his wife, Paula; sons, John, Joel and Kevin; grandchildren, Allison, Maverick, Zella, Quenby, Jennings, Jules and Laney; and great grandchildren, Vesper, Amiliza, Madilyn, Teagan, Levi and Meliora. He is preceded in death by his oldest son, Clay; and

WHEREAS, Senator Hamilton's life and public service were marked by his commitment to success and recognized leadership, sound judgment and fairness. He set the highest standard in all his many roles as a practicing attorney, county prosecutor, statesman and leader in the Mississippi Senate and the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission, citizen and as a true friend:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the life and career and legacy of former State Senator, Lauderdale County Prosecutor and District Attorney, Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission Chairman and World War II Veteran, Joe Clay Hamilton, of Meridian, Mississippi, and extend the deepest sympathy of the Mississippi Senate to his family and friends on his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the family of Joe Clay Hamilton, forwarded to the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors, the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission and the Mississippi Bar and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.