MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2014 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Tollison, Carmichael, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jolly, Jordan, Ward
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO PAY TRIBUTE AND COMMEND THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF WILLIAM EPHRAIM "EPH" CRESSWELL WHO WAS THE LONGTIME ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO LEGENDARY MISSISSIPPI UNITED STATES SENATOR JOHN C. STENNIS.
WHEREAS, William Ephraim "Eph" Cresswell (1926-2014) was recognized as the longest-serving Administrative Assistant in the history of the United States Senate at the time of his retirement in 1989. He passed away in Springfield, Virginia, on January 29, 2014, at the age of 87; and
WHEREAS, for Mississippians of a certain age, "Eph" Cresswell was the gatekeeper, the confidante, the defender and the trusted sounding board of one of the most powerful men in Mississippi history. From 1958 to 1989, Cresswell was Administrative Assistant and Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator John Cornelius Stennis, the legendary "conscience of the U.S. Senate." Stennis was a confidante of every U.S. President from Truman to Reagan; and
WHEREAS, Cresswell served Stennis, and the people of Mississippi and this nation, at the height of Stennis' long and distinguished career. Cresswell was at the time of his retirement the longest-serving Administrative Assistant in the history of the Senate. Senator Stennis was the most famous alumnus of Mississippi State University and Cresswell was a devoted University of Mississippi law school graduate; and
WHEREAS, public service was Mr. Cresswell's career and way of life, beginning with service in the Army Air Corps in World War II. He opened a law practice in Durant, Mississippi, in 1948. Educated at the University of Mississippi, Mr. Cresswell practiced as an attorney for six years. He was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1952 from Holmes County, and served in this capacity until he was appointed Assistant Attorney General of Mississippi in 1954; and
WHEREAS, when Attorney General J.P. Coleman became Governor of Mississippi in 1956, he appointed Mr. Cresswell as his Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff. Mr. Cresswell made the transition to Washington, D.C., in 1958 to become Administrative Assistant and Chief of Staff for one of Mississippi's most outstanding leaders and one of the country's most valued Senators; and
WHEREAS, United States Senator John C. Stennis employed Mr. Cresswell as his closest advisor for 31 years, and they became warm personal friends. During that time, Senator Stennis and Mr. Cresswell worked together closely on the most important legislative affairs considered by the Senate. Mr. Cresswell helped advance Mississippi most significantly through his work in military and economic development; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cresswell was a member of the Methodist Church and in his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf, woodworking and utilizing his skills as a certified tree farmer in Neshoba County. He had a lifelong love of Chopin's music. Mr. Cresswell also served from 1989 to 2010 as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Stennis Center for Public Service in Starkville; and
WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife, Catherine Moore Cresswell; his daughter, Catherine Cresswell; his sons, William E., Jr., and Stephen; and his grandson, Spencer; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, the Stennis Center established the William E. "Eph" Cresswell Congressional Staff Leadership Award to recognize and honor an exceptional congressional staff leader who has demonstrated the ideals of patriotism, integrity and leadership through public service that have characterized the life and career of Eph Cresswell. Few men have done more to help more Mississippians, and received less recognition and credit for that service, than did Cresswell. Countless economic development, military and state infrastructure projects, plus the rebuilding of the Mississippi Gulf Coast after Hurricane Camille, were projects that he substantially helped Stennis accomplish down in the trenches. Stennis and Cresswell shared a common trait in addition to their patriotism - unwavering integrity:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby pay tribute and commend the life and legacy of public service of William Ephraim "Eph" Cresswell who was the longtime Administrative Assistant to legendary Mississippi United States Senator John C. Stennis, and extend to his surviving family the sympathy of the Legislature and the thanks of a grateful state. He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Eph Cresswell, forwarded to members of Mississippi's Congressional Delegation and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.