MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Simmons (12th), Burton, Butler (38th), Chassaniol, Clarke, Fillingane, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Lee, Montgomery, Stone, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT AND LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP OF FORMER GREENVILLE MAYOR CHARLES A. "CHUCK" JORDAN, JR., AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, former Greenville Mayor Charles A. "Chuck" Jordan, Jr., (66) passed away November 13, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Jordan served as Mayor for 9 months but retired September 24, 2012, after learning he was ill. Jordan was elected Mayor in December 2011, and took office on January 3, 2012. The retired Planters Bank President, who spent 30 years in the banking industry, took over as Mayor after a surprising landslide victory in which the banker-turned-politician took more than 64% of the vote; and
WHEREAS, long before becoming Mayor, Chuck was already known as "Mr. Greenville." He had been completely pro-Delta in every imaginable way, with his involvement in so many areas and serving on numerous boards such as Delta Council and the Mississippi Economic Council. Chuck tirelessly walked the neighborhoods, met with the community leaders and convinced them and everyone else to give him a chance, that he would be fair and represent everyone, and that he could put Greenville on a positive path. Chuck ran on a plan that tackled reductions in crime, made infrastructure improvements, the "clean up" of Greenville in general, the creation of jobs, and education accountability. Chuck also recently championed Greenville as the Hot Tamale Capital of the World creating the upcoming Delta Hot Tamale Festival, which has already brought international attention to Greenville. Just before his resignation, he was hard at work with a plan to redevelop downtown Greenville with the creation of the Stein Mart Square; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi Economic Council Director Blake Wilson said Greenville was a little dimmer because of Jordan's passing. "Chuck was a unique individual. He was always looking out for Greenville and the Delta," Wilson said. "It was never about him. It was always about promoting Greenville and the Delta. He was just a great individual and we were all better off for having known him"; and
WHEREAS, a native of Yazoo City, he was the oldest of 9 children of Charles A. Jordan and Mable Norman Jordan. He graduated from St. Clara Academy in Yazoo City and Mississippi State University where he was Mr. MSU and President of the Student Association. He was also a member of Kappa Alpha Order. After graduation, he married Jane Power of Greenwood and they had two daughters, the late Liza Jordan Vaughn (Edward) and Adrian Jordan Love (Walker). They have four grandchildren: William Thomas Vaughn, Joseph Tyler Vaughn, Elizabeth Caruthers Love and Archer Whitaker Love. He is also survived by 8 siblings; and
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public spirited citizen of the Mississippi Delta whose enormous civic energy will be missed:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the record of achievement and legacy of leadership of former Greenville Mayor Charles A. "Chuck" Jordan, Jr., and express the sympathy of the Legislature to his surviving family on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Chuck Jordan, forwarded to the Mayor and Councilmen of the City of Greenville, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.