House Resolution 17

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING MRS. BOBBIE THOMAS FOR BEING THE LONGEST SERVING MEMBER OF THE MISSISSIPPI PAROLE BOARD AND CONGRATULATING HER UPON HER RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Bobbie Thomas has served on the Mississippi State Parole Board for two terms under Governor Haley Barbour and one year under Governor Phil Bryant, which is the longest term of anyone in the history of the Mississippi State Parole Board; and

WHEREAS, January 31, 2013, is her official date of retirement from the Parole Board; and

WHEREAS, she was born in Jones County, Mississippi, on August 24, 1934, and has led a life filled with public service to this state and the nation; and

WHEREAS, early on she was committed to the advancement of the Republican Party and as early as 1968, she began serving as a delegate to the Republican National Convention and has continued to serve as a delegate several times over the years; and

WHEREAS, she worked as an aide to Congressman and Senator Trent Lott for over 20 years; and

WHEREAS, she was the first female member of the Rotary Club of Gulfport, Mississippi, where she served as secretary; and

WHEREAS, as further evidence of her life of public service, she is a member of several genealogical societies, including the Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy and the First Families of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, truly a leader, she is a founding member of the Friendship Oak Chapter of the NSDAR and is currently a state officer of Daughters of the American Revolution; and

WHEREAS, throughout her life, she has been lovingly supported by her adoring husband of over 50 years, James R. Thomas; and

WHEREAS, upon her retirement, she will continue to enjoy his love, as well as the love and adoration of their three children, and five grandchildren; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Mrs. Bobbie Thomas for her many years of dedicated service on the Mississippi Parole Board, and congratulate her upon retirement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Bobbie Thomas and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.