MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hill, Blount, Browning, Bryan, Burton, Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Collins, Dawkins, Doty, Fillingane, Frazier, Gandy, Gollott, Hale, Harkins, Hopson, Horhn, Hudson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jolly, Jones, Jordan, Kirby, Lee, Longwitz, Massey, McDaniel, Montgomery, Moran, Norwood, Parker, Parks, Polk, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Smith, Sojourner, Stone, Tindell, Tollison, Turner, Ward, Watson, Wiggins, Wilemon, Younger
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER SENATOR, FIRST DIRECTOR OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS, ATTORNEY FOR THE CITY OF POPLARVILLE AND PEARL RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE ATTORNEY MARTIN TRAVIS SMITH, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, the Legislature and the State of Mississippi lost a wonderful friend, colleague, enlightened lawmaker, respected attorney and gentleman with the death of former State Senator, Director of the Administrative Office of Courts, Attorney for the City of Poplarville and Pearl River Community College (PRCC) Attorney Martin Travis Smith of Poplarville, Mississippi, on February 26, 2015, at 80 years of age; and
WHEREAS, Martin Smith served as the Attorney for the PRCC Board of Trustees for approximately 30 years, beginning in the mid-1960s, and again since 1997. He also served in the State Senate for 20 years and as Attorney for the City of Poplarville for the past 24 years; and
WHEREAS, Senator Smith attended high school on the Pearl River Junior College Campus and graduated from the college in 1954. He earned his bachelor's degree and the Juris Doctor degree from the University of Mississippi and returned to Poplarville in 1958 to open a general law practice; and
WHEREAS, Martin Smith was elected to the 47th Senate District, representing Hancock, Harrison, Pearl River and Stone Counties, and served from 1968-1988. As the first administrator of the court system, Martin was challenged to standardize and implement many new rules and procedures; and
WHEREAS, while in the Mississippi Senate, Martin served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and was responsible for revising the Justice Court fee system into the present system of salaried judges based upon the population of the county, which was a controversial and difficult proposition at the time. Senator Smith handled important legislation implementing the Open Records Law and the Open Meetings Law. He also served as Chairman of the Election Committee at the time that the Legislature was being redistricted by the courts; and
WHEREAS, when he returned to Poplarville, he resumed his law practice, including representing PRCC and the city. His expertise was instrumental in receiving funds from the Estate of Ethel Holden Brownstone that financed the bulk of the college's new performing arts center, the Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts. The beautiful theater in the Brownstone Center is named in honor of Martin and Dolores Smith, and is a fitting tribute to his legacy at PRCC; and
WHEREAS, Smith served as the first Chairman of the PRCC Development Foundation and was named PRCC Alumnus of the Year in 1983. He was active in numerous civic and economic development activities and served on the Board of the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation at the time of his death; and
WHEREAS, "Martin Smith served Pearl River Community College, his community and the state in an exceptional manner," said Dr. William Lewis, PRCC President. "He leaves a mark of distinction on his career as an attorney, as a politician, but more importantly as an advocate for Pearl River Community College and the City of Poplarville. He was a special person who always stood for what was right and he tried to make things better for those who needed his help." Few, if any, public servants have served the citizens of South Mississippi in the sincere and dedicated manner in which Martin Smith's legacy will reflect; and
WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife, Dolores Thomas Smith; a son, Martin Barney Smith of Poplarville; and three grandsons; and
WHEREAS, Senator Smith served as a leader and mentor in the Mississippi Senate and consistently lectured the Senate on standards, including ethics, integrity, civility, courtesy and adherence to the Golden Rule. He advised his colleagues, "One only has so many points of personal privilege, use them wisely." Martin Smith loved life, laughter and the Legislature. He excelled in a variety of major responsibilities and served the Senate, his constituents and the State of Mississippi exceptionally well. Martin's life honored both The Mississippi Bar and this great state that he loved and served:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the life and public service of former Senator, first Director of the Administrative Office of Courts, and Attorney for the City of Poplarville and Pearl River Community College.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of former Senator Martin Smith, forwarded to the Director of the Administrative Office of Courts, forwarded to the President of Pearl River Community College and the Mayor of the City of Poplarville, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.