MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hale, Browning, Butler (38th), Carmichael, Clarke, Fillingane, Frazier, Gollott, Hopson, Jackson (32nd), Jones, Kirby, Lee, Longwitz, Montgomery, Moran, Parker, Simmons (12th), Stone, Turner, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO MISSISSIPPI SUPREME COURT PRESIDING JUSTICE GEORGE C. CARLSON, JR., ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FOLLOWING 40 YEARS AS A MEMBER OF THE MISSISSIPPI BAR AND 30 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE.
WHEREAS, in January 1983, 36-year-old George C. Carlson, Jr., took the oath of office as a Circuit Judge for the 17th Circuit Court District of Mississippi. Upon taking the oath, his parents presented him with a framed scripture passage. The passage was Micah 6:8, which states: "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Presiding Justice Carlson has followed that directive ever since; and
WHEREAS, in January 2013, Justice Carlson retired from the bench after 30 years of distinguished public service. He served as a circuit judge for 19 years and served on the Supreme Court of Mississippi for 11 years. Justice Carlson was second in seniority among the nine-member Supreme Court Justices. He served as a Presiding Justice from January 5, 2009, until his retirement. Though his retirement is well-deserved, the Mississippi Judiciary has lost one of its very best; and
WHEREAS, Justice Carlson was a model judge: smart, honest, fair, impartial, ethical, respectful, considerate, collegial, diligent and hard-working. He is also a devoted husband and father; an Elder in the Batesville Presbyterian Church; and a respected, active member of his community. Justice Carlson's eight-member family includes his wife, Jane Ivy Russel Carlson; son, Russel Carlson of Atlanta, Georgia; daughter, Meredith Carlson Fleming of Batesville; the children's spouses; and three young grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Justice Carlson graduated from South Panola High School in 1964 as a member of the school's first graduating class. He was the first "Mr. South Panola High School," a member of the school's first Hall of Fame, and a star running back for the football team. He is the longtime radio play-by-play announcer for the South Panola Tigers football team. In some circles, he may be better known as "the Voice of the Tigers" than as a Supreme Court Justice; and
WHEREAS, Justice Carlson earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State University in 1969 and a law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1972. After completing law school, Justice Carlson practiced law in Batesville for 10 years. Then, in November 1982, the citizens of the five-county 17th Circuit Court District elected him as a Circuit Judge. He was reelected without opposition four times. During his tenure as a Circuit Judge, he served as Vice Chair of the Mississippi Circuit Judges Conference in 1998-1999, and served as its Chair in 1999-2000; and
WHEREAS, on November 1, 2001, then-Governor Ronnie Musgrove appointed Justice Carlson to the Supreme Court of Mississippi, noting that "Justice Carlson was always committed to fairness and integrity, and he developed a deliberate judicial temperament." Justice Carlson immersed himself immediately in the business of the Court; and
WHEREAS, since joining the Mississippi Supreme Court, Justice Carlson authored more than 300 opinions. This substantial body of scholarly work will guide lawyers and judges for years to come. But his work on the Court extends far beyond deciding cases. He has served on the Supreme Court's Rules Committee since he first joined the Court, and has chaired that committee. He also served as Chair of the Mississippi Model Jury Instructions Commission, which examined model jury instructions used in state trial courts and recommended revisions. As Presiding Justice, he has served as a member of the Court's Executive Committee since 2009; and
WHEREAS, Justice Carlson has been involved in several other endeavors throughout his career. He served as a member of the Governor's Criminal Justice Task Force in 1991; the Commission on Courts in the 21st Century from 1992-1993; the Professionalism Committee of The Mississippi Bar from 1998-1999; and the Law School Professionalism Program Task Force from 1998-1999. Additionally, he is a member and past President of the Panola County Bar Association and the William C. Keady American Inns of Court. He is a Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation and a member of the American Bar Association, the American Judges Association, The Mississippi Bar, and the Lamar Order of the University of Mississippi School of Law; and
WHEREAS, at the 2012 Annual Meeting of The Mississippi Bar, Justice Carlson received the 2012 Chief Justice Award in recognition of his life's work in improving the judicial system. Professionalism and excellence are the hallmarks of Justice Carlson's life and work. The legal profession, indeed our society, needs more people like him:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and pay tribute to Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice George C. Carlson, Jr., on the occasion of his retirement following 40 years as a member of The Mississippi Bar and 30 years of distinguished public service, and extend the thanks of a grateful state for his record of achievement and leadership.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Justice Carlson, forwarded to the Mississippi Supreme Court and The Mississippi Bar, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.