Senate Concurrent Resolution 501

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CAREER OF DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER REPRESENTATIVE CHARLES M. (CHARLIE) DEATON OF GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

WHEREAS, a native of Greenwood, Mississippi, former Representative Charles M. (Charlie) Deaton has been a member of the Mississippi Board of Education since 1987. In addition to the term he is currently serving as Chair, he served as Chairman of the Mississippi Board of Education from July 1994 to June 1996; and

WHEREAS, for the past 44 years, the seasons of Charles Deaton's political life have revolved around the State Capitol. It was there, in January 1960, that Deaton began his career in the Legislature that would roll through civil rights fights, into legislation to update and renovate the state park system and toward educational reform; and

WHEREAS, his five terms there would take him to top jobs, both political and civic. He became Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Chairman of the Mississippi Wildlife Heritage Commission, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the State Public Employees Retirement System. He served on the Advisory Board of the Mississippi Small Business Development Center, on the Mississippi Research and Development Council and on the Mississippi Budget and Accounting Commission; and

WHEREAS, in 1980, Deaton ran for Governor and failed to make it through the Democratic primary, but he joined the staff of Gov. William Winter and later, Gov. Bill Allain. He served eight years as a Senior Aide, working mainly in the areas of economic development, natural resources and transportation; and

WHEREAS, an Attorney for the law firm of Brewer, Deaton and Bowman, Deaton graduated from Greenwood High School, received a Bachelor's Degree from Millsaps College and a law degree from the University of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Charlie entered Millsaps College in September of 1949, but along with many of his classmates had to go into the service in January 1951. He and Mary Dent married in August of that same year, but she chose to stay and graduate from Millsaps during his Navy career and then to teach in Greenwood for two years before his returning to Millsaps, during which time she taught in Jackson. He then entered Ole Miss Law School, taking time out in 1956 to serve as Legislative Assistant to Congressman Frank Smith in Washington, while attending George Washington University School of Law; and

WHEREAS, as a part of the Winter administration, he was involved in the Education Reform Act of 1982 and as a member of the State Board of Education, he continued to press for improvement in education to pave the way for a better developed economy; and

WHEREAS, he served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Bank of Commerce in Greenwood, the Mississippi Board of Trustees for The Nature Conservancy, and as a member of the Mississippi Water Resources Management Planning Commission; and

WHEREAS, the Deatons have three children: Charles II, who is an Episcopal Priest; and two daughters, Beverly Diane and Dara Lane; and

WHEREAS, Charles Deaton's service in state government has been exemplified by sound judgment, firmness and credibility, and we are grateful for his legacy of service in state government:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate former Representative Charles M. (Charlie) Deaton of Greenwood, Mississippi, on the occasion of his retirement from the State Board of Education after 44 years of dedicated public service, and wish he and his wife, Mary, the best as he returns to private life.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Charlie Deaton and his family, be forwarded to the State Board of Education, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.