House Resolution 72

A RESOLUTION HONORING AND COMMENDING JUDGE JOHNNY L. WILLIAMS ON HIS CAREER AND ACHIEVEMENTS UPON HIS RECOGNITION AS THE HONOREE AT THE 2014 JESSE L. BROWN LODGE BLACK HISTORY BANQUET.

WHEREAS, Judge Johnny L. Williams was honored at the Jesse L. Brown Lodge 15th Annual Black History Banquet held on Sunday, February 16, 2014, at the Thad Cochran Center on the University of Southern Mississippi campus; and

WHEREAS, Judge Williams, born in Madison, Mississippi, on October 16, 1943, is the Senior Chancellor of the 10th District Chancery Court that is comprised of Marion, Pearl River, Lamar, Forrest and Perry Counties, and he was appointed to the position by Governor Kirk Fordice in 1996 and elected by voters in 1998; and

WHEREAS, he graduated from Lanier High School in 1961, joined the United States Air Force before being honorably discharged in 1965, then graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts from Tougaloo College in 1972, and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1974; and

WHEREAS, Judge Williams spent 20 years practicing law, was a Municipal Court Judge for the City of Hattiesburg from 1985 to 1996, a member of the Board of Bar Commissioners from 1992 to 1995, a member of the Committee on Professional Responsibility from 1995 to 1996 and has been a member of The Mississippi Bar Association since 1975; and

WHEREAS, his numerous awards and recognitions include: 1997 Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating; 1998 Fellow of Mississippi Bar Foundation; Boy Scouts of America, Whitney M. Young Service Award; Melvin Jones Fellow, Lions Club International Foundation; and Boy Scouts of America, Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished Service to Youth; and

WHEREAS, Judge Williams is heavily involved in his community, including having served on the Union Planters Bank Advisory Board, the Board of Directors of the Hattiesburg Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors of the Pine Belt Boys and Girls Club, the Hattiesburg Education Advisory Board, Lions International, the Board of Directors of Area Development Partnership, the Board of Directors of Pine Burr Area Scouting, the Athletic Council of the University of Southern Mississippi, the Board of Directors of the Dubard School, lifetime member of the NAACP, the Community Advisory Council and the Board of Directors of United Way; and

WHEREAS, a faithful member of the United Methodist Church, Judge Williams is married to Carol D. Williams, a retired school teacher, and they have two children: Paige Williams Goldman and Jonathan Williams, both attorneys; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor and commend the accomplishments of significant Mississippians, who continue to improve our communities and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Judge Johnny L. Williams on his impressive and meaningful career and achievements, and express sincere wishes for happiness and success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Judge Johnny L. Williams and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.