House Resolution 50

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM E. "BILLY" BOWLES FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WHEREAS, Representative William E. "Billy" Bowles has served the citizens of House District 22, which includes Chickasaw, Lee and Monroe Counties for 20 years; and

WHEREAS, Representative Bowles, a resident of Houston, Mississippi, graduated from Tupelo High School, Itawamba Community College and Mississippi State University; and

WHEREAS, sworn into office in 1984, Representative Bowles has the distinction of being the longest serving representative of Chickasaw County; and

WHEREAS, Representative Bowles' strong leadership abilities were first recognized in 1992 when he was appointed Chairman of the Labor Committee, and in 1993, he was named Chairman of the Oil, Gas and Other Minerals Committee, which he continues to serve; and

WHEREAS, Representative Bowles currently serves on the Oil, Gas and Other Minerals, Appropriations, Executive Contingent Fund, Judiciary A and PEER Committees; and

WHEREAS, throughout his tenure with the Legislature, Representative Bowles has served on various committees, including Agriculture, Banks and Banking, County Affairs, Constitution, Fees and Salaries of Public Officers, Game and Fish, Judiciary B, Public Buildings, Grounds and Lands, Public Health and Welfare, Rules, Transportation and Ways and Means; and

WHEREAS, Representative Bowles' list of accomplishments include Chickasaw Session Funding; the 1987 Highway Program; the Houston Bypass; and the extension of the 1987 Highway Program which included widening Highway 15 to four lanes; and

WHEREAS, Representative Bowles is a strong believer of individual rights and the Second Amendment right to bear arms and has protected the rights provided in the Mississippi Constitution; and

WHEREAS, in addition, Representative Bowles is a strong believer in employment and has supported lignite mining that created many jobs in District 22; and

WHEREAS, Representative Bowles has been lovingly supported in all his endeavors by his wife, the former Ruby Kate Wooldridge; their children, Steve and Mike; and grandchildren, Jay, Jenna Leigh, Lauren, Merry Claire, Patrick and Will; and

WHEREAS, Representative Bowles' congenial nature, constructive attitude and forthright manner have had a positive influence on all those who have had the pleasure of working with this highly respected member of the House:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and express our deepest appreciation to Representative William E. "Billy" Bowles for his many outstanding contributions to the legislative process and the people of the State of Mississippi and extend our heartiest wishes for success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Representative William E. "Billy" Bowles and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.