House Resolution 70

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING JUDGE DEBORAH GAMBRELL FOR HER LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND HER COMMUNITY.

WHEREAS, Judge Deborah Gambrell's life is a reflection of one dedicated to family, academic excellence, career achievement, community involvement and spiritual faithfulness; and

WHEREAS, the oldest of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Needham Jones, her leadership qualities emerged during the turbulent days of court mandated integration when she attended Locker High School in Wiggins, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, this daughter of lifelong educators displayed a love for learning and academic achievement early in life, and at the tender age of sixteen entered the University of Southern Mississippi, where she became the first Black Dixie Darling; and

WHEREAS, as a testament to her dedication to her legal career, she commuted from Hattiesburg with two young children to the Mississippi College School of Law (then Jackson School of Law), where she earned her Juris Doctorate with Cum Laude distinction; and

WHEREAS, during her legal career, she has accumulated over 15 legal citations, served on several court systems throughout the state, including the Mississippi Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, the United States District Court and local county and chancery courts; and

WHEREAS, in her zealous resolve to advance and uphold the moralistic standards of her profession, she has served as President of the South Central Bar, as a member of the Committee on Professional Responsibility, on the Board of the Mississippi Bar Foundation, on the Task Force to Restore Confidence in the Legal Profession and as a member of the Commission for the Study of Domestic Abuse; and

WHEREAS, she is currently in private practice in Hattiesburg dealing mainly with domestic issues; and

WHEREAS, cherishing her community involvement just as much as her legal accomplishments, she has been a member of the YMCA's Board of Directors since 1996, where she served as president in 2001, a board member of the United Way, the Forrest General Hospital, and a member of the Spirit of Women Advisory Committee, of R3SM, an agency developed to allow victims of Hurricane Katrina to Recover, Rebuild and Restore Southeast Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, ever faithful to her family, she is married to Mr. Vincent Chambers; is the mother of six girls, ages 16 to 36, Andi, Halicue, Oneica, triplets, Caitlyn, Cayla and Megan; and grandmother to four, Halle, Tajae, Andrew and Reese; and

WHEREAS, diligent in her service and commitment to Pineview Presbyterian Church, she is an active member and elder who has traveled extensively to serve on various committees that serve the Presbyterian Church, including Nicaragua and the cold war era Soviet Union in 1986; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor and recognize the life and legacy of such learned and experienced Mississippians as Judge Deborah Gambrell:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Judge Deborah Gambrell for her lifetime of service to the legal profession, her community and her family.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Judge Deborah Gambrell and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.