Senate Resolution 28

A RESOLUTION TO COMMEND SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE TRAVIS L. LITTLE FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE.

WHEREAS, Senator Travis L. Little is retiring from the Mississippi Senate after serving 16 years as a Senator and 8 years as President Pro Tempore; and

WHEREAS, Senator Travis Little is a man of the highest integrity and hard work, who has brought a business-common sense approach to the operation of the Senate, and there is an acknowledged respect for the public and private life of our esteemed colleague, gentleman and enlightened lawmaker; and

WHEREAS, Senator Little serves as Senator from District 4 in the Mississippi Senate, which is comprised of Alcorn, Tippah and Tishomingo Counties; and

WHEREAS, as President Pro Tempore of the Mississippi State Senate, he is elected unanimously by his fellow Senators. He presides over the State Senate in the absence of the Lieutenant Governor. Senator Little is the state's highest-ranking Senator and next in line behind the Lieutenant Governor to succeed to the Office of Governor; and

WHEREAS, elected to the Mississippi Senate in 1991, Senator Little serves as Chairman of the Rules Committee and Vice Chairman of Appropriations. He also serves on Business and Financial Institutions, County Affairs, Highways and Transportation, Public Health and Welfare, Judiciary "A", Public Utilities and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. He is a member of the Joint Legislative Committee on CODE Compilation, Advisory Council to the Mississippi Development Authority, and Health Care Investment Trust Fund. He is former Chairman of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee and the Senate Management Committee. Prior to his service in the Senate, he served on the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors; and

WHEREAS, Senator Little is in the hotel development and management business and is President of Little Properties, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Senator Little's civic and charitable awards are numerous. He is a member of the International Franchise Association and is a founding member of the Franchisee Advisory Council. He received the council's Distinguished Achievement Award and the Outstanding Citizens' Award from the Corinth Rotary Club. He also received the Distinguished Service Award from the Mississippi Joint Conference on Aging and was recognized by the Mississippi Commission on Child Abuse for his efforts on behalf of children and senior citizens. In 2004, the National Federation of Independent Business honored him with the Guardian of Small Business Award. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force where he received the USAF Commendation Medal for Outstanding Service. He is one of the founding members of the Lighthouse Foundation, which targets and serves at-risk youth. He has been a supporter of the Boys and Girls Club locally and statewide, and was recently awarded the Man/Youth Award for Outstanding Service to the Mississippi Boys and Girls Club Movement; and

WHEREAS, as President Pro Tempore and as a leader in the Senate, Senator Little has been involved in a leadership role in literally every high profile issue addressed by the Mississippi Senate over the past 8 years, including tort and liability insurance reform, economic development initiatives, highway construction and the general administration of Mississippi government. He led the fight for the passage of car tag reduction legislation, which is a popular bill to this day; and

WHEREAS, his family and his faith are of paramount importance in his daily life. Senator Little has three children, John, Regina and Laura, and he is dedicated to his grandchildren, Caroline and Olivia Cooley, and Cade and Faith Hagan. He is a faithful member of Oakland Baptist Church in Corinth, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Senator Little has had an extraordinary ability to bring people together to discuss issues and develop ways to come together. He has displayed a deep commitment to public service and he has constantly displayed kindness to the Legislature, public officials and legislative staff. Senator Little has an innovative mind and the Senate is quite proud of his accomplishments and contributions to the people of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Senator Little's service has been marked by his commitment to success and recognized leadership, sound judgment and strong sense of fairness. He has set the highest standard in all of his many roles, as a father, businessman, citizen, statesman and leader in the Mississippi Senate and as a true friend:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and recognize Senator Travis L. Little, two-term President Pro Tempore of the Mississippi Senate, whose outstanding service and leadership enriched everyone with whom he was associated, and we wish Travis and his family much success in their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Senator Travis Little and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.