MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2002 3rd Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Gordon, Canon, Dearing, Gollott, Chaney, Kirby, Scoper, Minor, Frazier, Huggins, King, Harvey, Burton, Posey, Johnson (19th), Mettetal, Dickerson, Bryan, Cuevas, Lee, Jordan, Furniss, Hamilton, Browning, Hewes, Turner, Carmichael, Ross, Chamberlin, Nunnelee, Stogner, Thames, White (29th), Moffatt, Jackson
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF FORMER STATE SENATOR WILLIAM G. "BILL" BURGIN, JR., AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE SENATE.
WHEREAS, former State Senator and long-time Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman, William Garner "Bill" Burgin, Jr., of Columbus, Mississippi, died on October 3, 2002; and
WHEREAS, Senator Burgin was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He graduated with a B.A. and a law degree from the University of Mississippi in 1947; and
WHEREAS, he served in the Mississippi State Senate 1952-1960 and again 1964-1979. During his tenure, he was Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He recently retired as Special Assistant to the President of the Columbus and Greenville Railroad. Senator Burgin, was an avid outdoorsman, gardener and cook. His interest in grapes and wine led to the passage of the Mississippi Native Wine Act and the establishment of Mississippi's first native winery since prohibition; and
WHEREAS, he is survived by his loving wife, Cathy; daughter, Helen B. Jensen and husband, Erik of Shaker Heights, OH; sons, William G. Burgin III, and wife, Terry of Greensboro, N.C., Robert M. Burgin and wife, Peggy of Floyd, VA., J. Ronny Harrison and wife, Pam and William H. (Bill) Harrison and wife, Marie, all of Columbus, MS. Senator Burgin was preceded in death by one daughter, Lilian Susan Ruthledge. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, Addie Jensen, Emma and Ellen Burgin, Brennan and Brent Rutledge, Beth, Allie and Russell Burgin, Lance Harrison, Shan Sims and Sean Harrison and one great-grandchild Autumn Sims. He is also survived by his stepmother, Nancy H. Burgin of Bells, TN; brother, John Raymond Burgin and wife, Susan of Big Stone Gap, VA; sisters, Nancy B. Basham of Columbus, MS, and Jane B. Cox and husband, George of Cordova, TN; and lifelong friends, Turner Lee Petty, Sr. and wife, Lula Bea of Starkville, MS; and
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of a former member of the State Senate whose effective leadership is a matter of record:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life of former State Senator and Senate Appropriations Chairman William Garner "Bill" Burgin, Jr., and express the sympathy of the Senate to his family on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT this Resolution be presented to Senator Burgin's wife, Cathy, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.