MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2003 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Minor, Dearing, Little, Browning, Bryan, Burton, Chaney, Frazier, Furniss, Gordon, Harvey, Huggins, Jackson, Lee, Mettetal, Nunnelee, Robertson, Smith, Stogner, Thames, Walden, Williamson
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER ZACK STEWART FOR HIS OUTSTANDING RECORD AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Zack Stewart was elected Transportation Commissioner in 1983 and is completing his fifth term as Commissioner for the Northern District (3); and
WHEREAS, Zack Stewart is viewed by colleagues in public highway construction around America with a measure of respect; he is past Chairman of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AACHTO); and
WHEREAS, he was born on June 27, 1937, in Dumas, Tippah County, Mississippi; he grew up in Pontotoc County's Troy Community and attended Pontotoc County schools, Itawamba Community College in Fulton and Mississippi State University; he served in the Marine Corps from 1958 to 1961; while in the Marine Corps, Mr. Stewart completed extension work from East Carolina and North Carolina State Universities; and
WHEREAS, he served as an engineer with WCBI-TV in Columbus and was a Senior Customer Engineer for IBM Corporation; he was appointed in 1972 to head the Mississippi Division of Appalachian Development and was the owner of Stewart Construction Company; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Stewart considers his most outstanding accomplishment as Commissioner to be:
· Instrumental in the preparation and passage of the 1987 Four-Lane Highway Program;
· The implementation of the 1987 Highway Four-Lane Program and its later additions;
· The establishment of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, including the Intermodal Aspect and Weight Enforcement responsibilities;
· The construction of the MDOT Administration Building in Jackson, Mississippi; and
· Allow prisoners to pick up litter on highways; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Stewart is married to the former Betty Joe Jaggers; they have four children and seven grandchildren; the Stewarts are members of Hillcrest Baptist Church in New Albany; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Senate wish to express sincere appreciation to Commissioner Stewart 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 Zack Stewart for all that he has meant to the highway program in the State of Mississippi and his unmatched contributions to the people of the State of Mississippi on the occasion of his retirement from public office, and we extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Senate on their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Commissioner Stewart and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.