MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blount, Horhn, Butler (36th), Harden, Frazier, Michel, Butler (38th), Fillingane, Jackson (32nd)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF HINDS COUNTY JUSTICE COURT JUDGE CLYDE R. CHAPMAN OF TERRY, MISSISSIPPI, ON THE OCCASION OF COMPLETING SEVEN TERMS OF PUBLIC SERVICE.
WHEREAS, Hinds County Justice Court Judge Clyde R. Chapman of Terry, Mississippi, is not seeking re-election after a distinguished career of service for 7 consecutive terms from 1983 to the present; and
WHEREAS, Judge Chapman serves as Senior Justice Court Judge in Hinds County. He is entrusted with the responsibility of directing daily court proceedings, trying civil cases with maximum jurisdiction of $3,500.00 per case including debt collections, contract disputes, bad check prosecution, and landlord/tenant cases and criminal cases with incarceration for up to one year, and/or levy fines of up to $1,000.00; and
WHEREAS, Judge Chapman was honored as recipient of the prestigious "Kenneth L. MacEachern" Award as the outstanding non-attorney Judge in the United States (2006). He served as a member of National Symposium for Judicial Education, helping to design and develop judicial education programs in all states. He was elected President of the National Judges Association, earning recognition as the only President to be elected to two terms and served as the first African-American President of the Association; and
WHEREAS, Judge Chapman is also Senior Partner in Chapman & Owens Investments LLC, Terry, Mississippi, with full accountability in establishing investment policies and procedures for identifying, negotiating and purchasing large tracts of land in order to develop full-service communities for better living; and
WHEREAS, Judge Chapman is also a respected real estate developer/partner (1995 to present) and has served as key player in negotiating and securing over 360 acres of land for development into a high-end residential community, currently in the third stage of development. He also maintained development for this community - minimum building requirement of 2,000 square feet with the largest home being 7,500 square feet, and appraised values ranging from $250,000.00 to $600,000.00; and
WHEREAS, prior to his election, Judge Chapman served as Disability Examiner II (1981-1983); Correctional Counselor for Mississippi Department of Corrections (1980-1981); and as Correctional Officer II, Iowa Security Medical Facility (1975-1979); and
WHEREAS, he is a Certified Mediator, Real Estate Appraiser and certified in working with pro se litigants DUI and Domestic Violence Settlement Techniques; and
WHEREAS, Judge Chapman is a Life Member of Jackson State University National Alumni Association, past Board Member of Hinds City Resource Agency, Volunteer for Hinds County Schools and Drug Prevention, and Observer monitoring for Federal Elections Office Personnel Manager during elections; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend the dedicated career of this respected public servant:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the career of Hinds County Justice Court Judge Clyde R. Chapman of Terry, Mississippi, and extend our best wishes to Clyde and his family for their future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Judge Chapman and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.