House Resolution 63

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. DAVID MICHAEL PROFFITT, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the City of Brookhaven lost a wonderful friend, community leader and decorated veteran on Monday, February 25, 2014, with the passing of Mr. David Michael Proffitt, who was born in Gaffney, South Carolina, to Jeff David Proffitt and Mary Frances Parris Proffitt on November 1, 1950; and

WHEREAS, he graduated from Ensley High School in Birmingham, Alabama, where he was Mr. Ensley High School, president of his senior class and awarded the honor of Sports Illustrated All-American in baseball his senior year; and

WHEREAS, Mike graduated from Mississippi State University where he was a member of the M-Club and was the "winningest pitcher in the SEC" his senior year, a two-time All-SEC performer, established school records in complete games and set school records for shutouts in a single season and career; and

WHEREAS, he also played a key role in the Bulldogs' advancement to the 1971 NCAA College World Series during Mississippi State's first trip to the Omaha, Nebraska, tournament, and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972, where he played in the minor league system for three seasons, and in 1993, was inducted into the Mississippi State Sports Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, he is a Past President of the Mississippi Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, where he was currently holding the office of secretary-treasurer, and was a faithful member and Elder of Faith Presbyterian Church; and

WHEREAS, as fate would lend itself to building upon the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of his life by the Great Deity, Mr. Proffitt's love, chivalry and affection pierced the heart of Harriet Haag, 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 completed their family unit with the addition of children; 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, including his infant son, Scott Proffitt, his parents and his brother, Ed Proffitt, the legacy of Mr. Proffitt's memory will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors: devoted wife of 42 years, Harriet; daughters, Molly Proffitt Tremonte (Ben) and Sally Michele Proffitt; beloved grandson, Michael Nicholas Tremonte; mother-in-law, Jeanette Haag; brother-in-law, Bill Haag (Nancy); sister-in-law, Linda Proffitt Pietrangelo; nieces, Laney Proffitt Lorn, Tracie Haag, Hayley Haag Moak; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the selflessness and benevolence of such an individual of esteemed caliber as Mr. Proffitt:

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 Mr. David Michael Proffitt, and extend sincere and deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

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