MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Gordon, Thames, Huggins, Lee, Rayborn, Dickerson, Jordan (24th), Gollott

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND CHIEF JUDGE JOHN J. FRAISER, JR., UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE MISSISSIPPI COURT OF APPEALS, FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE PRACTICE OF LAW, THE COURT AND THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE. 

WHEREAS, on January 3, 1995, the Honorable John J. Fraiser, Jr., was administered the oath as a Judge and Charter Member of the Court of Appeals of the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the Court of Appeals was fortunate in having the services of the Honorable John J. Fraiser, Jr., as its first Chief Judge. Under Chief Judge Fraiser, the court met all of its obligations; particularly, attacking with vigor the backlog of appellate cases pending in the Supreme Court and deciding promptly appeals directly assigned to it; and

WHEREAS, the Judge is a native of Minter City, Mississippi. He is a faithful and loyal alumnus of Mississippi State University. He also attended Delta State University and is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law with a Juris Doctor Degree in 1948. He is a decorated veteran of World War II, having served as a tail gunner in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Professionally, John Fraiser is a member of the Leflore County Bar Association (Past President); Mississippi Bar Association; American Bar Association; Mississippi Bar Foundation; Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Alpha Delta; former member, Board of Commissioners of Mississippi State Bar; and achieving an A.V. rating in Martindale-Hubbell; and

WHEREAS, his community activities include Chairman of Leflore District Boy Scouts of America; Director of Leflore County Salvation Army; Chairman of Leflore County March of Dimes; Vice-President of Greenwood Jaycees; Vice-President of Mississippi Junior Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mississippi Hospital for Cerebral Palsy; President of the Greenwood Kiwanis Club; and recipient of the Distinguished Service Award presented annually by the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, he was elected to the Mississippi State Senate in 1976, serving until 1983. He held the following positions: Vice-Chairman of Judiciary Committee; Chairman of Universities and Colleges Committee; Chairman of Judiciary Subcommittee on Governmental Affairs; Chairman of Appropriations Subcommittee on Institutions of Higher Learning; and

WHEREAS, in addition to becoming the First Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, Fraiser was a Magistrate of the Mississippi Supreme Court from 1990 until 1994, engaging in the general practice of law in Greenwood for 42 years, holding the position of Senior Member of Fraiser & Bourgoon for 25 years. He was also elected as Prosecuting Attorney of Leflore County and held that office for 20 years; and

WHEREAS, John Fraiser is married to the lovely and talented Jennie Garrott Whitehead of Winona, Mississippi. The Fraisers hold membership in the First United Methodist Church, where he was a former member of the Church Board of Trustees:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That both bodies of the Mississippi Legislature hereby commend Chief Judge John J. Fraiser, Jr., who will retire on January 31, 1997, for his lifelong dedication to the law, its practice, his service in the Mississippi Legislature, and his outstanding service as a Magistrate of the Mississippi Supreme Court and Chief Judge of the Mississippi Court of Appeals. The membership of the Legislature extends to him and his family our fondest regards and best wishes for many years of health and happiness in his retirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Judge Fraiser and his family, and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.