MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Tindell, Doty, Moran, Hale, Jolly, Harkins, Massey, Parks, Wiggins, Sojourner, Longwitz, Gandy, Polk, Burton
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE LEGACY OF DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE LATE WORLD WAR II HERO AND MISSISSIPPI REPRESENTATIVE MAJOR GENERAL DELOS BURKS OF CARRIERE, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, the late Major General, lawyer and former Mississippi Representative Delos Burks (grandfather of Mississippi Senator Angela Hill) is a wonderful example for public servants who left a record of achievement and legacy of leadership and dedication to all in Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, raised as a country boy in the Pine Grove Community, Delos Burks went on to become Major General for the Mississippi National Guard, a member of the Legislature, a lawyer and a family man; and
WHEREAS, Representative Burks passed away July 8, 2008, in Carriere, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Burks grew up during the Great Depression. After graduating from Industrial High School, Burks became a teacher and basketball coach at the school, before joining the Army Air Corps as an Aviation Cadet in 1941; and
WHEREAS, during his military career, Burks participated in 34 air combat missions where he received four decorations, three Battle Stars and was part of a unit that received the Presidential Unit Citation. Burks participated in a number of battles in World War II flying rescue missions in the Pacific Ocean picking up downed pilots with pontoon planes. Granddaughter Angela Hill said he also received the Magnolia Cross, a high Mississippi decoration; and
WHEREAS, Burks was a member of the Mississippi Air National Guard for many years before he retired with the rank of Major General. He attended law school and served as a member of the Mississippi Legislature in the House of Representatives from 1952 until 1960. In 1960, he was an Assistant Attorney General for Mississippi, and was appointed as Mississippi's first Deputy Attorney General from 1969 until 1972. Burks was also a partner in a local law practice. He served as a member of the State Ethics Commission and State Building Commission. In public, Burks never met a stranger, he was always hospitable and respectful to everyone in the community. He loved his country; and
WHEREAS, Representative Mark Formby, whose grandmother is Burks' second cousin, said he had known the man all his life. Described as being larger than life, Burks had a confident air about him. Formby said that Burks was always there to offer advice on legislative operations such as, "No one will remember what you did in the Legislature but you." That statement told him he should do things because they are right; and
WHEREAS, Burks' children and grandchildren found their patriotism by attending speeches Burks would give in Jackson during Memorial Day and Veterans Day events. That patriotism enabled General Burks' daughter, Marsha Burks Megehee, to submit a piece of poetry that was inscribed on a plaque and displayed on the Gold Star Mother's America Monument in his honor; and
WHEREAS, it is with great humility that we remember the great spirit of this public servant who enriched the lives of all Mississippians:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby remember the legacy of dedicated public service of the late World War II hero, lawyer and Mississippi Representative Major General Delos Burks of Carriere, Mississippi, and extend this remembrance to his surviving family from a grateful state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Delos Burks and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.