MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Dearing, Butler, Browning, Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Davis, Fillingane, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Mettetal, Moffatt, Montgomery, Powell, Simmons, Stone, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF FORMER MISSISSIPPI SENATOR THOMAS PATRICK (PAT) WELCH OF MCCOMB, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Thomas Patrick (Pat) Welch, 61, a McComb attorney and former Mississippi Senator, died November 18, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Senator Welch was born December 6, 1947, in Port Arthur, Texas. He was the son of the late Thomas Jesse and Julia Mae Ramey Welch Ball. He graduated from South Pike High School "Class of '66," earned his bachelor's degree in 1970 from Ole Miss, and graduated from the University of Mississippi Law School in 1973; and
WHEREAS, Pat Welch served as Mississippi State Senator from District 38 from 1988-1992. He was particularly active on the Judiciary and Public Health and Welfare Committees. He was a champion of family preservation and supported enhanced crimes for illegal drug distribution. He was also active in addressing ethical violations by members of the legal profession; and
WHEREAS, Senator Welch was a member of Moak's Creek Baptist Church. He was an active member of the Mississippi Farm Bureau and the McComb Recreation Board; and
WHEREAS, Senator Welch was preceded in death by his parents and his stepfather, Johnny Ball. Survivors include three sons, Thomas Patrick Welch, Jr., (Colleen) of Brandon, Mississippi; Courtney Lewis Welch (Jennifer) of Tupelo, Mississippi; and Barrett Lee Welch of McComb, Mississippi; and two grandchildren, Thomas Patrick Welch III and Abigail Suzannah Welch, both of Brandon; and
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of a dedicated Mississippi legislator who will be missed by those who knew 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 of former State Senator Thomas Patrick (Pat) Welch of McComb, Mississippi, and express to his surviving family our sympathy on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Senator Welch, forwarded to the Mayor of McComb and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.