MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2003 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Little, Blackmon, Browning, Bryan, Burton, Canon, Carlton, Carmichael, Chamberlin, Chaney, Cuevas, Dawkins, Dearing, Dickerson, Farris, Frazier, Furniss, Gollott, Gordon, Hamilton, Harden, Harvey, Hewes, Horhn, Huggins, Hyde-Smith, Jackson, Johnson (19th), Johnson (38th), Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee, Mettetal, Michel, Minor, Moffatt, Nunnelee, Posey, Robertson, Ross, Scoper, Simmons, Stogner, Thames, Tollison, Turner, Walden, Walls, White, Williamson
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING ROBERT H. "ROB" SMITH FOR HIS OUTSTANDING LEGISLATIVE RECORD AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Robert H. "Rob" Smith, a Democrat from Richland, Mississippi, is completing 24 years of outstanding, dedicated service as a member of the Mississippi Legislature, representing Copiah, Covington, Rankin and Simpson Counties, with 20 years in the Mississippi Senate and four years in the Mississippi House of Representatives; and
WHEREAS, in Rob Smith, the residents of District 35 are losing an honest, dependable State Senator, and the residents of Mississippi are losing 24 years of legislative experience and unquestioned integrity; and
WHEREAS, Senator Smith is an accountant and practicing realtor, bringing much expertise to the Legislature in the field of business and property management; he is presently Chairman of the Senate Corrections Committee where he has been very active handling legislation relating to sentencing and probation which have been crucial issues during times of budget constraint and public demand for truth in sentencing; he has also served as Chairman of the Juvenile Justice Committee where he has focused on issues regarding child welfare, alternative schools, school violence and child safety; he has also served as Chairman of the Agriculture Committee where he was responsible for the "Mississippi Farm Reform Act of 1987" and championed legislation to assist emerging crops and add value to Mississippi products; he has also championed legislation for veterans' benefits, including special license plates for Purple Heart recipients; he has served with distinction on virtually every other Senate committee, including Appropriations, Finance, Fees, Salaries and Administration, Education, Municipalities, Public Health and Welfare, Ports and Marine Resources, Economic Development, Tourism and Parks, Environmental Protection, Conservation and Water Resources, and Highways and Transportation, this extensive committee experience representing substantial legislative influence for his district; and
WHEREAS, Rob represented the Mississippi Legislature on the Governing Board and in numerous positions of committee leadership in the Southern Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments (CSG), the Executive Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and was an effective spokesman for our state in these regional and national forums, particularly in such committees as Education, Human Resources and Public Health; and
WHEREAS, Rob was born on November 3, 1951, in Jackson, Mississippi; he attended Florence High School, Hinds Community College, Mississippi State University and Mississippi College; he is active in the Baptist Church, is a Mason, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Exchange Club, the Sons of the American Legion, and the National Society of Public Accountants; and he is dedicated to his daughters, Tarance McCall and Karlie Grace; and
WHEREAS, Senator Smith has indicated that he will retire at the expiration of his present term in order to run for statewide office and to spend time with his daughters, and the members of this Senate wish to express sincere appreciation to Rob for his many outstanding accomplishments and record of dedicated public service:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend our friend and colleague Rob Smith for his legacy of public service in the Mississippi Senate and his contributions to the people of the State of Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Senator Smith and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.