MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Little, Albritton, Browning, Burton, Butler, Carmichael, Chaney, Clarke, Cuevas, Davis, Dawkins, Doxey, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harvey, Hewes, Horhn, Huggins, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Lee (47th), Mettetal, Michel, Morgan, Nunnelee, Pickering, Robertson, Ross, Simmons, Thames, Thomas, Tollison, White, Wilemon, Williamson, Dearing
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CAREER AND LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF CHARLES W. (CHARLIE) CAPPS, JR., AND WISHING HIM WELL UPON HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, Charles W. (Charlie) Capps, Jr., of the Mississippi House of Representatives, known affectionately as "Mr. Chairman" in the halls of the New Capitol, is completing thirty-three years of consecutive service as a member of the House from District 28, which includes Bolivar, Sunflower and Washington Counties; and
WHEREAS, born on January 1, 1925, in Cleveland, Mississippi, Representative Capps, a World War II veteran having served in the Pacific Theater, joined the United States Army in June 1943 as a Private and was discharged as a First Lieutenant in September 1946; and
WHEREAS, Representative Capps attended Culver Military Academy in Indiana, Davidson College in North Carolina and earned an undergraduate degree in business from the University of Mississippi in 1967 before beginning his career as a public servant; and
WHEREAS, after serving as Sheriff of Bolivar County, he began his service as a legislator when elected to the membership of the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1971; and
WHEREAS, the talents and ability of Charlie Capps were recognized by the legislative leadership as evidenced by his rising from freshman lawmaker to serve as Chairman of the House Constitution Committee, then to his 1988 appointment as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and his recent 2004 reappointment as Chairman of Constitution, also serving on the Agriculture, Enrolled Bills, Military Affairs and Tourism Committees; and
WHEREAS, Chairman Capps has been especially active in promoting education at all levels and in industrial development at both state and local levels, having participated in investment-seeking trade missions to Japan and other far eastern countries; and
WHEREAS, known by his colleagues as an able and dedicated legislator who has effectively represented the citizens of his district and state, Chairman Capps was honored by Delta State University with the dedication of the Charles W. Capps, Jr., Archives and Museum in Cleveland; Charles W. Capps, Jr., Technology Center at Mississippi Delta Community College; Lake Charlie Capps; Representative Charles W. Capps, Jr., National Guard Armory located on Charlie Capps Road in Cleveland; Charles W. Capps, Jr., Crisis Intervention Center in Cleveland; and Charles W. Capps, Jr., Entrepreneurial Center in Stoneville; and
WHEREAS, Chairman Capps' love and deeply felt respect for the Legislature as an institution has led him to fight to preserve and nurture its integrity, becoming a guardian of this democratic institution during a time in Mississippi's history when the diversity of the House membership expanded to include meaningful participation by women, African Americans and Republicans, as well as the majority group of Democrats; and
WHEREAS, Chairman Capps' leadership abilities have been recognized nationally, as evidenced by his serving as Chairman of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) of the Council of State Governments, as Vice Chairman of the Legislative Advisory Council of the Southern Regional Education Board, as a member of the SLC Executive Committee and by his selection by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) as the 1987 American Free Enterprise Representative of the Year for Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, in addition to serving in the Mississippi House of Representatives, Chairman Capps is president of Capps Insurance-Real Estate and Capps Farms, Inc., a successful farmer and a director of the Sunburst Banking System; and
WHEREAS, Chairman Capps is known as a "Gentleman Statesman" possessing a congenial nature, the ability to listen effectively and a good sense of humor -- qualities which have enabled him to resolve volatile and controversial situations; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his career as a successful businessman and statesman, Chairman Capps has been a faithful member of the Methodist Church, as well as a devoted husband to the late Mrs. Allen Hobbs Capps, and father of three children, Alinda Sledge, Margaret Allen and Charlie Capps III, and eight grandchildren, who have supported him in all of his endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Chairman Capps has indicated that he will retire on June 30th of this year and it is with great pride that we recognize the career of this dedicated public servant, whose legacy lives on in the respect of the members of the Mississippi House and Senate:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend our friend and colleague, "Mr. Chairman," Charles W. (Charlie) Capps, Jr., for all that he has meant to the Mississippi State Legislature and for his unmatched contributions to the people of the State of Mississippi, and we want him to know that his presence and his leadership will be very much missed by this legislative body.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Chairman Capps and his family, and be made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.