MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2006 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Little, Brown, Browning, Bryan, Burton, Butler, Carmichael, Clarke, Davis, Dawkins, Dearing, Doxey, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harden, Hewes, Horhn, Huggins, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Lee (47th), Mettetal, Michel, Moffatt, Morgan, Nunnelee, Pickering, Posey, Robertson, Ross, Simmons, Thomas, Turner, White, Wilemon, Williamson, Albritton, Chaney, Cuevas, Jackson (32nd), Thames, Tollison, Walley, Walls
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF SENATOR BILLY HARVEY, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, the Legislature and the State of Mississippi lost a wonderful friend, colleague and true gentleman with the death of State Senator Billy Harvey on Thursday, March 2, 2006; and
WHEREAS, a native of Jefferson Davis County, Senator Harvey served in the Mississippi State Senate, District 41, for the past 18 years; and
WHEREAS, Billy Vernon Harvey was born in Carson, Mississippi. He was past Chairman of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee and Chairman of the Senate Forestry Committee. As Chairman of the Senate Forestry Committee, he became a strong supporter of the forestry industry in Mississippi. Under Senator Harvey's leadership, Mississippi was the first state in the nation to enact a reforestation tax credit, and he was very instrumental in passage of the Forestry Economic Development Act of 2002; and
WHEREAS, Senator Harvey attended Clarke College and was a Ready-Mix Concrete producer. He was a member of the Jefferson Davis County Chamber of Commerce, President of the Rotary Club and was involved in a number of other community organizations; and
WHEREAS, Billy spent his life in service to his neighbors. He was a member of Prentiss Baptist Church, where he served as chairman of several committees and as Sunday School Director. He was a Gideon, Mason and Shriner, current member and past President of the Prentiss Rotary Club. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Southern Pine Electric Power Association, along with a career as an independent businessman. He has been past Chairman of the Jefferson Davis County Economic Development Board and the Jefferson Davis County Chamber of Commerce; and
WHEREAS, the love of Billy's life was his wife, Patsy Courtney Harvey of Prentiss, and his children, Mitchell Harvey of Monticello, Tammy Jones of Brandon, Kim Lott of Petal and Dedee Taylor of Sumrall. He was the proud grandfather of twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Mary Beth Golson of Columbia, and two brothers, Charles Lee Loftin of Bassfield and Mike Loftin of Columbia; and
WHEREAS, Billy will be sorely missed by a long list of friends far too numerous to name. He made friends easily and never met a stranger. He served in a political office but never lost that honorable title of Citizen Servant; and
WHEREAS, Senator Harvey's public service was exemplified by sound judgment and firmness and impeccable attire, and he set the highest standard in all of his many roles, as a father, husband, businessman, citizen statesman and leader in South Mississippi and in the Mississippi 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 the life and legacy of public service of Senator Billy Harvey of Prentiss, Mississippi, and express to his family the sympathy of the Legislature on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Senator Billy Harvey and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.