Senate Resolution 111

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF DISTRICT 22 STATE SENATOR NEELY C. CARLTON.

WHEREAS, Mississippi legislative history was made Thursday, January 30, 2003, when Senator Neely Carlton became the first State Senator to give birth while in office -- she was active in her duties right up until the birth, and actually stopped by the New Capitol to cast an important vote before going to the hospital to give birth; and

WHEREAS, Neely C. Carlton, a practicing attorney and Democrat from Greenville, Mississippi, is completing 8 years of outstanding, dedicated service representing State Senate District 22 (Sharkey, Bolivar and Washington Counties); and

WHEREAS, Neely is the youngest Senator to serve in the Mississippi Senate and the first Senator to give birth to a child while in office -- she and husband Dave Maatallah are proud parents of daughter, Marissa Louise Maatallah; and

WHEREAS, in Neely Carlton, the residents of District 22 are losing an honest, dependable State Senator, and the residents of Mississippi are losing 8 years of Senate experience and unquestioned integrity; and

WHEREAS, Senator Carlton serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and brings expertise to all aspects of the committee's work, including civil justice reform, criminal procedure, domestic relations and commitment; and

WHEREAS, she is Chairman of the Interstate and Federal Cooperation Committee and the Uniform Law Commission, and serves with distinction on the Agriculture, Appropriations, Environmental Protection, Fees and Salaries, Public Health and Welfare, and Universities and Colleges Committees; this committee experience representing substantial legislative influence; and

WHEREAS, she was particularly active in the area of sex offender registration of convicted sex offenders as part of her on-going interest in children's issues; and

WHEREAS, Neely was born July 13, 1970, in Greenville; attended the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Mississippi School of Law; was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority, the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Washington County and Mississippi Bar Associations, the Colonial Dames, the DAR, the Alice Bell Garden Club, the Washington County Anti-Drug Task Force, the Kiwanis and the Mid-Delta Workforce Alliance; is an active Baptist; and is dedicated to her husband and child; and

WHEREAS, Senator Carlton has indicated that she will retire at the expiration of her present term, in order to spend time with her family and to devote more time to the practice of law, and the members of this Senate wish to express sincere appreciation to her for her many outstanding accomplishments and record of public service:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend our friend and colleague, Neely Carlton, for all that she has meant to the Mississippi Senate and her contributions to the people of the State of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Senator Carlton and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.