MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2003 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Denny, Baker, Barbour, Barnett (92nd), Bowles, Brown, Cameron, Chism, Clarke, Davis, Eads, Eakes, Eaton, Ellington, Fillingane, Fleming, Formby, Frierson, Guice, Hamilton, Holland, Howell, Martinson, McBride, McCoy, Miles, Montgomery (15th), Moody, Moore (60th), Pierce, Robinson (63rd), Rotenberry, Snowden, Stevens, Taylor, Wallace, Warren, Wells-Smith, Whittington, Capps
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MR. STUART C. IRBY, JR., AND EXPRESSING OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, Mr. Stuart C. Irby, Jr., a lifelong resident of Jackson, Mississippi, departed this life on Friday, February 21, 2003, causing a great loss to his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Louisiana State University in 1948 with a degree in business administration, Mr. Irby continued his education at the Graduate Institute of Internal Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1953 to 1954; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Irby was a loyal patriot to his country having served three years in the United States Army during World War II, where his unit landed at Normandy approximately six days after D-Day and served two years in the European Theater; and
WHEREAS, in 1955, Mr. Irby took over as President and Chairman of Irby Construction Company, which was founded by his father, Stuart Chalmers Irby, in 1926; and
WHEREAS, under the outstanding leadership of Mr. Irby, Irby Construction Company built power lines in 42 states and completed 12 international projects in Asia, Africa and Central America; and
WHEREAS, in addition, Mr. Irby's expertise and business success allowed the Stuart C. Irby Company to expand to 38 branches in nine states; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Irby was a generous and benevolent man, giving much of his time and money to various community organizations and projects; and
WHEREAS, in 1998, Mr. Irby donated the former Kress building on Capitol Street to Mississippi State University to use for its School of Architecture; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Irby founded the Jackson Enterprise Center, an incubator for new businesses and was inducted into the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame in 1992; and
WHEREAS, in 1993, former Governor Kirk Fordice appointed Mr. Irby as the first independent Chairman of the Mississippi Gaming Commission; and
WHEREAS, in addition, Mr. Irby was actively involved as an investor in the State Times newspaper, an active investor and board member of Deposit Guaranty Bank, a longtime Chairman of French Camp Academy, a founding member of Covenant Presbyterian Church as well as River Hills Club and the Metropolitan Dance Club; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Irby is survived by his wife, the former Debbie West; five children, Margaret, Stuart, Charles, Joe and Richard; ten grandchildren and his sister, Beth Milam; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippians such as Mr. Irby, who dedicated his life to industrial development and community service and fine arts projects to benefit all the people of this great state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and accomplishments of Mr. Stuart C. Irby, Jr., and express our deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Stuart C. Irby, Jr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.