House Resolution 88

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING REPRESENTATIVE HENRY "CHUCK" ESPY III FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND WISHING HIM WELL UPON HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, after 16 years of dedicated service, Representative Henry "Chuck" Espy III, a distinguished member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, will make the 2015 legislative year his last when he retires from the Legislature at the end of the current term of office; and

WHEREAS, Representative Espy began his legislative service in 2000 after being elected by the citizens of District 26, which currently includes parts of Coahoma and Quitman Counties and previously included parts of Bolivar County; and

WHEREAS, born April 24, 1975, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Representative Espy graduated with a bachelor of arts from Southern University at Baton Rouge and a MBA from Bethel University at McKenzie, Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, gaining his stature as a statesman by rising through the ranks from freshman lawmaker to Chairman of the Investigate State Offices Committee and Vice Chairman of Fees and Salaries of Public Officers, Representative Espy used the experience he gained over his tenure to perform his duties as a member of the following committees: Agriculture; Apportionment and Elections; Conservation and Water Resources; Education; Energy; Ethics; Juvenile Justice; Oil, Gas and Other Minerals; Public Health and Human Services; Universities and Colleges; and Youth and Family Affairs; and

WHEREAS, one of Representative Espy's great passions in life is the Chuck Espy Foundation, which was started to provide constituent assistance to families in financial crisis, and its endowment is supported by Representative Espy; and

WHEREAS, the CEO of Century Funeral Home and Burial Association, Representative Espy constantly strived during his legislative service to ensure that the people of his district were provided with every opportunity for a quality education and economic mobility; and

WHEREAS, Representative Espy, a devout member of Haven United Methodist Church, is looking forward to spending more time at home upon his retirement from the Legislature with his loving family, including his supportive wife, the former Lynn Pettis, and his three children, Allison, Hannah and Henry; and

WHEREAS, throughout the years, Representative Espy has utilized his leadership skills in the community as an active member with the NAACP, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Prince Hall Masons and the President's Council on Race Relations; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor one of our own, who has represented his district, as well as this legislative body, with honor and dignity:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby honor the legislative legacy of Representative Henry "Chuck" Espy III, express gratitude for his many years of dedicated service to the people of the State of Mississippi and congratulate him upon his retirement from the Mississippi House of Representatives.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of his resolution be furnished to Representative Henry "Chuck" Espy III and to the members of the Capitol Press Corp.