MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Frazier, Barnett, Barrett, Berry, Blackmon, Blackwell, Blount, Boyd, Brumfield, Bryan, Butler, Carter, Chassaniol, Chism, DeBar, DeLano, England, Fillingane, Harkins, Hickman, Hill, Hopson, Horhn, Jackson, Johnson, Jordan, Kirby, Ladner, McCaughn, McLendon, McMahan, Michel, Norwood, Parker, Parks, Polk, Rhodes, Robinson, Seymour, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Sparks, Suber, Tate, Thomas, Thompson, Turner-Ford, Whaley, Wiggins, Williams, Younger
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE SINCEREST SYMPATHY OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO THE SURVIVING FAMILY OF CHARLES JAMES PITTMAN, FORMER MISSISSIPPI SENATOR AND STAFF MEMBER TO FORMER GOVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR, AND COMMENDING HIS SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY AND HIS STATE.
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of Charles James Pittman, former State Senator and staff member to former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, at the age of 76, on August 27, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Charles was born July 6, 1948, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He lived 64 years in Mississippi, and was the son of the late Louise Horton and John Timothy Pittman of Clarksdale, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Charles was honored to have been elected to represent Grenada, Yalobusha and Tallahatchie Counties in the Mississippi State Senate, at age 31. As a Senator and later as a staffer to Governor Haley Barbour, Charles' door was always open to assist citizens. Having a servant's heart, he approached his public service as one of personal honor and duty; and
WHEREAS, having a great musical gift and love of music, in 1989 he founded the "MS Singing Senators," performing at the Mississippi State Capitol Building, Mississippi's New York and Washington, D.C., Picnics, the Neshoba County Fair and many radio media outlets. Senator Pittman also famously sang the "Star Spangled Banner" in the November 19, 1983, "Egg Bowl" in stormy Veterans Stadium between the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University when the "Hand of God" blew the Bulldog's winning field goal back from the goal posts, sending the victorious Rebels to the Independence Bowl; and
WHEREAS, among the many awards Charles received, the most prestigious were the Mississippi State Senate's Distinguished Service Award for Public Service in 1997 and Governor Barbour's Official Proclamation of December 14, 2011, declaring "Charles Pittman Day in the State of Mississippi," upon Charles' retirement; and
WHEREAS, Charles was a member of The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, in Loudon, Tennessee, The Order of the First Families of Mississippi, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Lieutenant General John C. Pemberton Camp and The Friends of Raymond, Mississippi, Civil War Preservation Group; and
WHEREAS, Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Louise Horton and John Timothy Pittman, sister and brother-in-law, Patricia Pittman and Mike Simpson; and maternal grandmother, Sallie Hardin Horton. Charles is survived by his wife, Kathy Hannan Pittman; daughters, Michelle Cox and Shauna Sullins (David); granddaughters, Amy and Claire Cox; grandson, Austin; and great-grandson, Kai David Sullins; and
WHEREAS, Senator Pittman's public life focused on ethics, integrity, civility, courtesy and adherence to the Golden Rule. Charles' life honored both the Mississippi Legislature and this great state that he loved and served:
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 sincerest sympathy of the Mississippi Senate to the surviving family of Charles James Pittman, former Mississippi Senator and staff member to former Governor Haley Barbour, and commend his service to his community and his state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of former Senator Charles James Pittman, forwarded to The Friends of Raymond and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.