MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2006 1st Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Little, Burton, Carmichael, Gollott, Gordon, Hyde-Smith, Butler, Ross, Kirby, Browning, Frazier, Chaney, Lee (35th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER STATE SENATOR AND UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN GILLESPIE V. "SONNY" MONTGOMERY, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and every military veteran in our country lost a friend with the death of legendary lawmaker, former State Senator and United States Congressman Gillespie V. "Sonny" Montgomery of Meridian, Mississippi, on Friday, May 12, 2006; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Montgomery represented east central Mississippi in Congress for 30 years. The popular lawmaker and career soldier earned the reputation on Capitol Hill as "Mr. Veteran" for his commitment to veterans' issues and the national defense. Before going to Congress, he served for a decade in the Mississippi Senate, from 1957-1966; and
WHEREAS, "Sonny was a giant among Congressmen in Mississippi history," said Governor Haley Barbour. "The good he did for veterans is a national accomplishment, but he accomplished so much in so many areas that all Mississippians are grateful for his service and leadership. He was an indispensable ally of President Ronald Reagan and his longtime personal friend President George H.W. Bush. We will miss him very much"; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Montgomery served in the U.S. Army and Mississippi Army National Guard for 35 years. He was a Lieutenant in the 12th Armored Division in Europe during World War II, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. He was mobilized as an Army Guard officer with the 31st Infantry Division for the Korean War and remained on active duty until 1952. He retired from the Mississippi National Guard as a Major General in 1980; and
WHEREAS, Congressman "Sonny" Montgomery's contributions to the men and women of the National Guard and the other military services are beyond measure. He did so many things to help define and shape our Guard force that enabled us to transform from a strategic reserve into an operational entity and equal partner with the other military services for the 21st Century's global war on terrorism; and
WHEREAS, despite decades of service to his country, U.S. Representative G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery will be remembered for a single piece of legislation that experts and his contemporaries credit with saving the concept of the all-volunteer military. The Montgomery GI Bill, first established as a test program in 1984 and made permanent in 1987, was Montgomery's greatest gift to military veterans. Previous legislation to help veterans largely was tied to rewarding citizens who served during wartime. But in the years following the Vietnam War and the end of the draft, recruitment waned and the military complained that quality recruits were harder to find. In the early 1980s as House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman, Congressman Montgomery began working on a new proposal that would attract and reward quality troops by offering them the promise of an educational benefit after their service; and
WHEREAS, Montgomery was born in Meridian on August 5, 1920, the son of Gillespie and Emily Montgomery. He was educated in the Meridian Public Schools, the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and received a B.S. Degree from Mississippi State University in 1943. He was a member of the basketball team and was elected President of the Student Association at Mississippi State University. Mississippi State University President, Dr. Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong said: "My thoughts are that first and foremost, Sonny Montgomery was my friend and he will be greatly missed. I've sought his advise for more than a decade before coming to Mississippi State University. On a broader level, Congressman Montgomery will be remembered as one who shaped this university. He was 'Mr. MSU' the year he graduated and he remains so today"; and
WHEREAS, Montgomery's successor, 3rd District U.S. Representative Chip Pickering, R-Flora, said: "Sonny will be remembered as a Mississippi statesman with a 30-year dedication to our Armed Forces and veterans. His legacy of public service stretches across generations and across party lines and is a testimony to his vision of strong America that honors our commitments to military service. We will miss the twinkle in his eye, the determination in his voice and the passion of his policies"; and
WHEREAS, his name is on the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Jackson, the Naval Reserve Training Center at the Naval Air Station Meridian, the Sonny Montgomery Airport at Forest and the Mississippi Air National Guard's C-17 Globemaster II Transport Plane, dubbed "The Spirit of G.V. 'Sonny' Montgomery," the third aircraft in U.S. military history to be named for an individual. The late congressman's name also appears on the National Guard Association building in Washington, D.C., and the Veterans homes in Collins, Kosciusko and Oxford, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, President G.W. Bush presented the Medal of Freedom to Congressman Montgomery in Washington in November 2005. The medal is awarded for exceptional service; and
WHEREAS, Congressman Montgomery's public service was exemplified by sound judgment and fairness, and he set the highest standard in all of his many roles, as a veteran, citizen statesman, champion of all veterans, leader in the Mississippi Legislature and in the United States Congress and as a true friend. His legacy is a strong and free America, and for this and for a lifetime of selfless service, a grateful Legislature and State thank him:
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 public service of former State Senator and United States Congressman Gillespie V. "Sonny" Montgomery of Meridian, Mississippi, and express to his family and many friends and colleagues the sympathy of the Legislature on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of former Senator Montgomery and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.