MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Kirby, Hewes, Albritton, Baria, Blount, Brown, Browning, Bryan, Burton, Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Collins, Davis, Dawkins, Dearing, Dickerson, Fillingane, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harden, Hopson, Horhn, Hudson, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, Jordan, King, Lee (35th), Lee (47th), McDaniel, Mettetal, Michel, Moffatt, Montgomery, Powell, Simmons, Simmons (12th), Stone, Tollison, Turner, Ward, Watson, Wilemon, Yancey
A RESOLUTION TO COMMEND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PHIL BRYANT FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AS PRESIDENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE.
WHEREAS, known for strong integrity and sincere concern for his fellow man, Phil Bryant was elected Mississippi's 37th Lieutenant Governor with an overwhelming 59% of the vote in November 2007; and
WHEREAS, that reputation was earned during his term as State Auditor where he recovered more than $12 Million in taxpayers' dollars that were embezzled or improperly spent. He was first appointed to that position by former Governor Kirk Fordice in 1996, won reelection by a vast majority in 1999, and was reelected in 2003, winning 81 out of 82 counties. In a job where honesty and trustworthiness are the foundations for building public confidence in state government, Phil Bryant made a positive difference for Mississippians; and
WHEREAS, as Lieutenant Governor, Phil Bryant continued to work to ensure accountability in state government. In his first week of office, Bryant proposed webcasting of the Senate proceedings so taxpayers could see their government in action and hold their elected officials accountable; and
WHEREAS, Lt. Governor Bryant has a long history of fighting for conservative beliefs, like lower taxes and traditional values. Prior to serving as State Auditor, Bryant served five years as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives where he was Vice Chairman of the Insurance Committee and authored the Capital Gains Tax Cut Act of 1994. In fact, the last time Mississippi businesses received a reduction of their state taxes was when Phil Bryant successfully led the fight to end the capital gains tax in Mississippi-based corporations. As a freshman legislator, Phil Bryant began a five-year struggle to end the marriage penalty in Mississippi's tax code; and
WHEREAS, Bryant, a Moorhead native and former deputy sheriff, earned his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master's Degree in Political Science from Mississippi College. In fact, Bryant now serves as an Adjunct Professor of Government at Mississippi College; and
WHEREAS, because of his love of the outdoors and his belief in the 2nd Amendment, he has been a longtime member of the National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action and is a recipient of the Kirk Fordice Freedom Award presented annually by the Central Mississippi Chapter of the NRA. He served as the 2008 Honorary Chairman of the Republican Lieutenant Governor's Association and is a past President of the Mississippi Republican Elected Officials Association. He currently serves on the National Lt. Governor's Association Executive Committee as the Southern Region Republican at-large member; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Governor Bryant's dedication to his work is evident through his years of public service but his faith and family have always come first. Phil Bryant and his wife, Deborah, have two children, Katie and Patrick. The Bryants are active members of St. Marks United Methodist Church; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant is retiring from his position as President of the Mississippi Senate to run for election as Governor; and
WHEREAS, Phil Bryant's service has been marked by his commitment to success and recognized leadership, sound judgment and fairness. He has set the highest standard in all of his many roles, as a father, husband, 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 Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant, whose outstanding service enriched everyone with whom he was associated, and we wish Phil and his family much success in their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Phil Bryant and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.