MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Johnson (19th)

A RESOLUTION AWARDING THE "2-DOG DICKERSON" OUTSTANDING FRESHMAN SENATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR 1992 IN THE YEAR 1999.

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Senate has a longstanding tradition of recognizing the Outstanding Freshman Senator of the Year; and

WHEREAS, the award has been named the "2-Dog Dickerson" Outstanding Freshman Senator of the Year Award in honor of Senator Tommy Dickerson who gained particular distinction for his positions on various dog hunting legislation as a freshman in 1993; and

WHEREAS, in 1996, the 2-Dog Dickerson honoree was Senator Tim "Hound Dog" Johnson who gained particular distinction for his moving rendition of "You Ain't Nothing But A Hound Dog"; and

WHEREAS, in 1997, the 2-Dog Dickerson honoree was Senator Ron "Wolf Dog" Farris who gained particular distinction for passing a bill which prohibits cruelty to canines and for being the lone vote against the "wolf-dog" bill; and

WHEREAS, the 1998 2-Dog Dickerson honoree was Senator Charlie "Bird Dog" Ross who gained particular distinction for passing a bill revamping the duties of the State Veterinarian and the Board of Animal Health which improved the health and rights of all dogs in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, it is most fitting that Senators "2-Dog" Dickerson, "Hound Dog" Johnson, "Wolf Dog" Farris and "Bird Dog" Ross honor their predecessor at this time, thus continuing the dubious tradition; and

WHEREAS, this year's winner was recognized in 1992 before the outstanding freshman award carried the coveted title of "2-Dog Dickerson Outstanding Freshman of the Year Award"; and

WHEREAS, it is only fitting that the coveted title be bestowed retroactively so the original honoree can also bear this dubious distinction; and

WHEREAS, the 1999 honoree has not passed any bills of note pertaining to dogs; and

WHEREAS, this year's honoree is known for his work on appropriations for his dogged pursuit and treeing of sinecurists in state government and for those not members of the elite corps of cerebral canines; a sinecurist is one who holds a state job that requires little or no work but has quite a hefty salary; and

WHEREAS, this year's honoree is the "biggest dog" among the cornucopia of canine honorees; and

WHEREAS, this year's honoree with his stout wide body, square jaw, determined visage and equable disposition bears an uncanny countenance to the stalwart bulldog; and

WHEREAS, as surely as the sun rises in the East and the watch dog bayeth before dawn, his rich melodious baritone bark resonates through the chamber one-half hour before the Senate pack rises to roll call; and

WHEREAS, the honoree's mellow and rich baritone call to the wild senatorial pack and his affable bulldog countenance and demeanor continues the uncanny canine tradition of the honorees:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby congratulate Senator Terry "Bull Dog" Burton upon his retroactive receipt of the prestigious "2-Dog Dickerson" Outstanding Freshman Senator of the Year Award for 1992 given here in the year 1999.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to "Bull Dog" Burton on April 1st.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution not be distributed to the Capitol Press Corps or to anyone else for that matter.