Senate Concurrent Resolution 510

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATOR FREDERICK MCKINNEY "FRED M." BELK, JR., OF MARSHALL COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi lost a wonderful example for public servants with the death of former State Senator Frederick McKinney "Fred M." Belk, Jr., of Marshall County, Mississippi, who passed away on September 29, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Fred M. Belk was a practicing attorney in Marshall County for 47 years and served as the Marshall County Prosecuting Attorney for 31 of those years. During the course of his distinguished career, he was a Special Master in Chancery, Mississippi Supreme Court appointed interim Chancery Judge, member of the Mississippi and Tennessee Bar Associations, member of the Mississippi Trial Lawyer's Association, President of the Marshall County Bar Association, President of the Mississippi Prosecutor's Association, Outstanding Young Man of America, Who's Who in American Politics, member of the Governor's Criminal Justice Planning Commission, served as a Mississippi State Senator (1968-1972), Chairman of the City of Holly Springs Planning Commission, Director of Marshall County Civil Defense, President and Director of the Holly Springs Jaycees, President of Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce, and co-owner/Editor of The Marshall Messenger; and

WHEREAS, friends of Fred M. Belk, Jr., will miss the man who was respected by law enforcement and the community for his work as a private attorney and county prosecutor. Circuit Court Clerk Lucy Carpenter said Belk was a dedicated public servant and always had the county's interest at heart. Sheriff Kenny Dickerson worked many criminal investigations when Belk was one of the major prosecutors. Dickerson said Belk used all his intelligence in the courtroom, was able to think on his feet, and had a knack for convincing jurors; and

WHEREAS, Belk's father and grandfather were also attorneys in Marshall County. He was a graduate of Millsaps College where he played quarterback and a graduate of Ole Miss School of Law; and

WHEREAS, he leaves his wife of 52 years, Linda Kay Moore Belk; four children: daughter Letitia "Tish" Summerlin (Jim), sons Fred M. Belk III (Anna), Fielding Belk (Cindy) and Jonathan Belk (Linsey); and six grandchildren: Anna, Wil, Fielding Jr., Frederick, Alex and Lucy; and

WHEREAS, former Senator Belk was a gentleman, steeped in tradition, and we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public spirited citizen whose enormous civic energy is a legacy of leadership to all in Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That

we do hereby commend the life and legacy of public service of former Mississippi State Senator Fredrick McKinney "Fred M." Belk, Jr., of Marshall County, Mississippi, and express the sympathy of the Legislature.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of former Senator Belk, forwarded to the Marshall County Bar Association and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.