House Resolution 13

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE HONORABLE DAVID GIBBS, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY, COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the heaven," and as such, the grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, the Honorable David Gibbs, to eternal rest, as he has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, colleagues and friends; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Legislature and the State of Mississippi lost a wonderful friend, colleague, advocate, community leader and enlightened lawmaker on Sunday, January 13, 2013, with the untimely demise of Representative Gibbs, who was a legendary forerunner in Mississippi history, born on June 28, 1936, to the late Henry and Janie Gibbs; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable David Gibbs began his legislative service in 1992 after edging out several candidates upon being elected by the citizens of District 36, which is composed of parts of Clay, Lowndes and Monroe Counties, and was sworn into office on January 5, 1993, at the commencement of the 1993 Regular Session of the Mississippi Legislature where in such capacity he diligently served the citizens and constituency base for the past 20 years; and

WHEREAS, a disability consultant and former food inspector, he utilized the wisdom and experience he accrued over the years to guide him in his duties as Chairman of the House County Affairs Committee and as a member of the committees on Agriculture, Apportionment and Elections, Appropriations, Conservation and Water Resources, Education, Interstate Cooperation, Military Affairs, PEER, Public Health and Human Services, State Library, Transportation, and Youth and Family Affairs during the course of his legislative tenure; and

WHEREAS, driven by the values instilled in him by his parents, after graduating from North Side High School, he enlisted in the United States Army, and subsequent to receiving an honorable discharge, Chairman Gibbs attended Kentucky State University, Mississippi State University and Faulkner University before beginning his career in public service as a member of the Clay County Board of Supervisors; and

WHEREAS, as fate would lend itself to the building upon the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of his life by the God-head of the Great Deity, Representative Gibbs' chivalry and affection pierced the heart of the former Annie Louise Howard, and the duo became bone of one another's bone and flesh of one another's flesh after exchanging the nuptials of holy matrimony; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as Chairman of County Affairs and Vice Chairman of Agriculture, he developed a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable people in that area and was considered a champion for building county and state relations, and promoting agriculture and forestry as our state's greatest natural resources and economic interest; and

WHEREAS, throughout the years, Representative Gibbs utilized his leadership skills in the community as a former member of the Clay County Board of Supervisors to ensure that vital legislative measures impacting Mississippi's counties were highly vetted, in addition to the management and operation of his personal profession as a consultant and business developer; and

WHEREAS, one who relied heavily upon his faith, Representative Gibbs confessed his belief in Christ at an early age, and remained devout in his Christian service and patronage throughout his life, reflecting his passion for God through his commitment to assisting others and his Christ-like care and concern for the building of the kingdom, an allegiance to which he continued to manifest from his childhood as a member of the Trio Primitive Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and in numerous capacities, and additionally, he held numerous social and civic affiliations, such as the Kiwanis Club, American Legion, American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and the White Station Water Association; and

WHEREAS, in the Honorable Chairman's transfiguration from mortality to immortality, he now awaits in holy anticipation the wondrous event of the bridegroom's return, as it is written in the Book of Revelation 21:1-2 -- "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I, John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Representative Gibbs' memory, which if put to music, would be a majestic symphonic masterpiece composed by the Holy Trinity, will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors: wife, Annie Louise Gibbs; son, Karl Malinski and his wife, Sonya; grandson, Karl David; brother, Ira Gibbs; sister, Corean Stevenson; and a host of other relatives, colleagues and friends; and

WHEREAS, Representative Gibbs was a solemn voice of reason, and it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the selfless humanitarianism of an individual of his esteemed caliber whose public service was exemplified by fairness and sound judgment, and who set the highest standard as a leader in the Mississippi House of Representatives and as a true friend:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of public service of the Honorable David Gibbs of West Point, Mississippi, to whose family we express our sincere and deepest sympathy and to whom we convey our grateful appreciation for sharing David with us and with the State of Mississippi.

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