MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To:
By: Senator(s) Dearing, Albritton, Baria, Blount, Brown, Browning, Bryan, Burton, Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Collins, Davis, Dawkins, Dickerson, Fillingane, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harden, Hopson, Horhn, Hudson, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Lee (47th), McDaniel, Mettetal, Michel, Moffatt, Montgomery, Powell, Simmons, Simmons (12th), Stone, Tollison, Turner, Ward, Watson, Wilemon, Yancey
A RESOLUTION TO COMMEND SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE BILLY HEWES FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE.
WHEREAS, unanimously elected by his colleagues as President Pro Tempore, Billy Hewes III is serving his fifth term in the Mississippi Senate. Appointed to 13 standing committees, Senator Hewes is a member of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and as Senator Pro Tempore, he is responsible for providing leadership in the development and implementation of policy measures, as well as the operational functioning of the Senate through his Chairmanship of the Senate Rules Committee. Senator Hewes is retiring from the Mississippi Senate to run for election to the Office of Lieutenant Governor; and
WHEREAS, in December 2003, 2,400 members of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) welcomed and congratulated Mississippi State Senator William G. "Billy" Hewes III on his installation as the 2004 ALEC National Chairman. ALEC is the nation's largest nonpartisan, individual membership organization of state legislators, and is dedicated to developing model policies based on the Jeffersonian Principles of free markets, limited government, federalism and individual liberty. As 2004 ALEC National Chairman, Senator Hewes led the 23-member Board of Directors and was responsible for setting the policies and priorities for ALEC. He served on the Legislative Leaders Health Care Forum and the Telecommunications Committee. Senator Hewes has recently been appointed to the Southern Growth Policies Board; and
WHEREAS, Senator Hewes is past President of the Gulfport Jaycees, the Gulf Coast Association of Life Underwriters and the University of Southern Mississippi Harrison County Alumni Association. Active in his community, Hewes is a member of the Gulfport Rotary Club, the Gulf Coast Board of Realtors and the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. He is a delegate of the American Council of Young Political Leaders and a Council of State Governments Henry Toll Fellow. Presently serving as Chairman of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, Hewes has been recognized as the Conservation Legislator of the Year by Mississippi Wildlife Federation and the Gulf Coast Conservation Association; and
WHEREAS, an outdoor enthusiast and avid musician, Senator Hewes is a Charter Member of the Mississippi Legislative Sportsman's Caucus and was recently appointed to the Mississippi Blues Commission; and
WHEREAS, Hewes' profession is an insurance agent and real estate broker with his family agency in Gulfport, and is a graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Billy and his wife, Paula, make their home in Gulfport with their four children: Katie, Sarah Margaret, Gardner and Sam; and
WHEREAS, Senator Hewes is a proven leader in Mississippi. His service has been marked by commitment to success and recognized hard work, sound judgment and fairness. He has set the highest standard in all of his many roles, as a father, husband, businessman, musician, citizen, statesman and leader in the Mississippi Senate and a true friend:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and recognize Senate President Pro Tempore William G. "Billy" Hewes III, whose outstanding service enriched everyone with whom he was associated, and we wish Billy and his family much success in their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Senator Hewes, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.