House Concurrent Resolution 82

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER SPEAKER OF THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TIMOTHY ALAN (TIM) FORD, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, on February 27, 2015, the State of Mississippi, and particularly the Mississippi State Legislature, lost a visionary leader, friend, lawmaker and respected attorney, with the passing of former Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives Tim Ford, and Speaker Ford's family and friends lost a devoted father, husband, brother and loyal friend; and

WHEREAS, Timothy Alan (Tim) Ford was born on October 22, 1951, to Rachel Agnew Ford and Dr. John Mitchell Ford, and grew up in Baldwyn, Mississippi, where he was a devoted Eagle Scout, was an All Tombigbee quarterback of the Baldwyn Bearcats, and was the Valedictorian of his high school graduating class; and

WHEREAS, Speaker Ford was a staunch and loyal supporter of all things related to the University of Mississippi - first earning an undergraduate degree from his beloved Ole Miss where he participated in track, was a member of the Epsilon Xi Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity and served as the fraternity's "Commander," was elected by his peers to serve as cheerleader, and later earning his law degree from Ole Miss; and

WHEREAS, following graduation from law school, Speaker Ford practiced law with the firm of Carnathan and Malski, and began his career as a public servant by becoming an Assistant District Attorney in Northeast Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, he began his service as a legislator in 1980 when he was sworn in as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, serving House District 18, which at that time included parts of Lee, Prentiss and Pontotoc Counties; and

WHEREAS, Speaker Ford's abilities and talent were immediately recognized by his colleagues, and when combined with his strong work ethic, he rose quickly from freshman lawmaker to the influential Chair of the subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee handling important bond measures, then to Chair of the House Apportionment and Elections Committee from 1984--1988 during which time his leadership resulted in the passage of groundbreaking election reform embodied in the Election Code of 1986 followed by personal meetings with the United States Department of Justice to secure the department's approval of the act, and his dramatic rise to leadership culminated in his 1988 election by his colleagues to the Office of Speaker; and

WHEREAS, widely considered to be one of the most influential state leaders in the country during his service as Speaker, Speaker Ford maintained a strong leadership role in every meaningful initiative that was addressed by the Mississippi Legislature during his tenure, including economic development, fiscal affairs, education, gaming, public health, transportation, agriculture, and election reform initiatives and programs; and

WHEREAS, Speaker Ford's love and deeply felt respect for the Legislature as an institution led him to fight to preserve and nurture its integrity, making him a guardian of this democratic institution during a time in Mississippi's history when the diversity of the House membership expanded to include meaningful participation by women, African Americans and Republicans, as well as the majority group of Democrats; and

WHEREAS, a rare leader who was able to lead effectively while promoting and protecting the strength of the Legislature, Speaker Ford was known to be a fair and evenhanded steward of the legislative process; and

WHEREAS, he was a talented peacemaker who ensured that all members had the opportunity to participate fully in the legislative process, as shown by his appointment of members from all of the diverse factions of the House membership to key leadership positions, thereby promoting stakeholder loyalty to the House over individual political affiliations; and

WHEREAS, Speaker Ford's leadership abilities were recognized nationally, as demonstrated by his service as Chair of the Southern Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments, President of the Southern Speakers Conference, Vice Chair of the Southern Growth Policies Board, and Chair of the Board of Directors of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation; and

WHEREAS, in 2001, Speaker Ford was the first speaker ever to receive the prestigious "William M. Bulger Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award," an award given annually to a leader who makes a significant contribution to the performance, the strengthening and operation of the branch of government in which he serves, with the nomination for the national award made by lawmakers and state government observers across the United States, and this leadership award was followed by his receipt of the Supreme Court 2003 Chief Justice award; and

WHEREAS, Speaker Ford was widely admired for his talent in building consensus in the Legislature, regardless of the issue at hand, and the members of the House relied on that talent in the face of challenging legislative deliberations; and

WHEREAS, even while he led the House with strength and courage, Speaker Ford was known for his congenial nature, ability to listen effectively and infectious sense of humor, qualities which enabled him to defuse volatile and controversial situations; and

WHEREAS, after his retirement from the Legislature which was effective in January 2004, Speaker Ford returned to the practice of law, becoming a senior partner in the firm of Balch and Bingham, where he maintained an office in Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Speaker Ford served the Mississippi House of Representatives well, and his passion for making that body stronger as an institution when he retired than it was when he arrived will wield a positive influence on the work of the House for decades to follow; and

WHEREAS, what Tim accomplished in public service, however noted and honorable, does not compare with the lives that he touched, friends that he made and happiness that he brought to everyone who knew him; and

WHEREAS, a generous and good-natured person who performed untold good deeds behind the scenes without seeking recognition, Tim valued his family and friends above all else in his life, as evidenced by the happiness he shared with his wife, Kathy; by being the proud father of his sons, Ken and Sam; and of Kathy's daughters, Hope and Leighton; by being a doting grandfather, and by his special bond and affection for his sister, Nan and brother, Chip; and

WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife, Kathy Braddock Ford of Jackson, Mississippi; sons, Kenneth Alan Ford (Debbie) of Nashville, Tennessee, and Samuel Ford of Columbus, Mississippi, and their mother, Mary Foose Shannon, of West Point, Mississippi; daughters, Hope Mitchell (Gerry) of Meridian, Mississippi, and Leighton Mason (Robert) of Oxford, Mississippi; grandchildren, Simmons Ford, Eli Mitchell, Meredith Mitchell, Mims Mason and Bo Mason; sister, Nan Robinson (Greg) of Meridian, Mississippi, and brother, Chip Ford (Janice) of Greenwood, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the members of this Legislature will long remember that Tim Ford loved life, family, laughter and the Legislature, and that his life well lived honored the Mississippi Legislature, The Mississippi Bar and this great state that he loved and served:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the life and public service of former Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives Timothy Alan (Tim) Ford, and express deepest sympathy of the Legislature upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the surviving family of former Speaker Tim Ford, the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, the Epsilon Xi Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity, the Managing Partner of Balch & Bingham, LLP, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.