MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Rayborn

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING JOEL R. BARR, CHANCERY CLERK OF PIKE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THAT OFFICE.

WHEREAS, Joel Rodney Barr was born on July 24, 1932, in Barton, Mississippi, in eastern Pike County; and

WHEREAS, he was graduated from Magnolia High School in 1950; and

WHEREAS, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Germany from 1953 until 1955; and

WHEREAS, he was married to the former Verena Higginbotham on November 23, 1955; and

WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Barr are the proud parents of three children: Joel R. Barr, Jr., who is married to the former Robbin Anthony and has two children, Dusty and Brooke; Phyllis R. Barr, and Keven C. Barr, the father of Nicky; and

WHEREAS, he is an active member of several civic organizations, including the Masons, the Shriners and the VFW; and

WHEREAS, he is a member of First Baptist Church of McComb; and

WHEREAS, in his political career, he has served as Pike County Tax Assessor from January of 1964 to January of 1972, and served as Pike County Tax Assessor/Collector from January of 1972 to May of 1983; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Barr was elected Chancery Clerk in a special election in May of 1983, a position which he still holds; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as Chancery Clerk, many improvements were made to the Chancery Clerk's office as he oversaw the computerization of all county records and the construction of the Chancery Court Annex, as well as many other county buildings; and

WHEREAS, he has served the people of Pike County both faithfully and well in his time in public office:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, That we do hereby commend Joel Rodney Barr for his outstanding service to the public as the Chancery Clerk of Pike County, and congratulate him upon his retirement from that elective office, wishing him and his family all the best and the joys of this new phase of his life.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Barr.