House Concurrent Resolution 118

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVE JESSICA SIBLEY UPSHAW, AND EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the heaven," and as such, the creator of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, the Honorable Representative Jessica Sibley Upshaw, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family, colleagues and friends; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Legislature and the State of Mississippi lost a wonderful friend, colleague, community leader and enlightened lawmaker on Sunday, March 24, 2013, with the untimely passing of Representative Upshaw, who was an unselfish and dedicated public servant; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of the University of Mississippi and University of Mississippi Law School, where she earned both her bachelor of business administration and juris doctorate degrees, respectively, Representative Upshaw was an astute advocate and brilliant barrister who served the City of Diamondhead, Hancock and Harrison Counties diligently as an elected public official upon becoming an elected member of the Mississippi House of Representatives in 2003; and

WHEREAS, a God-fearing Christian before all other roles she assumed, a nurturing mother and devoted daughter and sister next, and always the peoples' advocate, Representative Upshaw, the living embodiment of a woman of Proverbs 31:10 distinction and possessing the ambitious spirit akin to that of King David, was a woman after God's own heart, using the benefit of her elected office not to be served, but to be of service not just to the constituents of House District 95, which she represented, but to the entire citizenry base of the State of Mississippi, as most notably evidenced through her championing and supporting meaningful legislation that would provide the greatest beneficial impact for the state; and

WHEREAS, one of the brightest and most competent members of the House, Representative Upshaw's mental reserve, extraordinarily adept reading ability and analytical prowess enabled her to decipher and comprehend exhaustive pieces of legislation in a matter of minutes, and understand its particulars with practicably supernatural exactness; and

WHEREAS, the Chair of the House Conservation and Water Resources Committee, and immediate past Vice Chair of the House Public Property Committee, she was at the forefront of the movement to promote tourism in our great state, through her oral endorsement and advertisements of the many splendid sites, wonders, sounds and activities to be experienced within beautiful hidden gems of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, in addition to her chairperson positions, Representative Upshaw also served as a member of the House Committees on: Constitution, Energy, Insurance, Judiciary A, Judiciary B, Judiciary En Banc, Oil, Gas and Other Minerals, PEER, Public Health and Human Services, Public Property, Select Committee on Accountability/Efficiency/Transparency, Select Committee on Poverty, Tourism, Transportation, and Ways and Means; and

WHEREAS, one who relied heavily on her faith, Jessica remained devout in her Christian service and patronage throughout her life, reflecting her passion for God through her commitment to assisting others an allegiance to which she continued to manifest as a member of the Methodist Church, in addition to the fulfillment of expectancies with her various professional, social and civic affiliations, including: Daughters of the American Revolution; the Colonial Dames; P.E.O. Sisterhood; and Cursillo; and

WHEREAS, though she has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon her arrival to the celestial shores of heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Representative Upshaw's memory, will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of her beloved survivors: daughter, Lauren Rivers Upshaw Welch; son-in-law, Thomas Welch; grandson, Porter Welch; mother, Sandra Sibley; sister, Faye Caroll Sibley Cleveland; and a host of other relatives, colleagues and friends:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life, legacy and public service of the Honorable Representative Jessica Sibley Upshaw of Diamondhead, Mississippi, and extend deepest sympathy to her family, colleagues and friends upon her passing and convey grateful appreciation for sharing Jessica with us and with the State of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Representative Jessica Upshaw and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.