House Concurrent Resolution 76

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF MR. GILBERT ELLZEY "GIL" CARMICHAEL, AND EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi lost a wonderful friend, a community leader and a supreme statesman, January 31, 2016, Mr. Gilbert Ellzey "Gil" Carmichael returned home to find eternal peace in the Lord; and

WHEREAS, though this corporeal life must inevitably draw to its conclusion and therein words often fail to define the sorrow and sadness of survivors, the indelible legacy of Mr. Gilbert Ellezy Carmichael shines bright, for those who knew him, the shining light of a husband, a father, a grandfather and friend rebuffs the darkness of anguish and heartache, even in this darkest hour, the light of love shines unremitting; and

WHEREAS, born June 27, 1927, Mr. Carmichael inherited the light of love from parents Calvin Ellzey Carmichael and Clyde Myrna Smith Carmichael, born and raised in Columbia, Mississippi, he developed an insatiable passion for the State of Mississippi that endured even when life steered him elsewhere at times, Mississippi was home; and

WHEREAS, a 1944 graduate of Columbia High School, Mr. Carmichael answered his country's call to serve for the first time in 1945, after concluding his initial year of service he returned home and pursued an education at Texas A&M, where he earned a degree majoring in business and a minor in petroleum engineering; and

WHEREAS, at the onset of the Korean Conflict, Mr. Carmichael again answered his country's call to serve and was commissioned as an officer of the United States Coast Guard, where he served with honor and distinction, earning the Silver Life Saving Medal, awarded to him by the Secretary of the Treasury after he assisted in saving the lives of 70 men who were at the merciless peril of a storm off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts; and

WHEREAS, in 1961 he moved to Meridian, Mississippi, where he began his own company, including two car dealerships and a real estate development company, through years of hard work, dedication, and persistence he served the community of Meridian and the State of Mississippi with honor and distinction; and

WHEREAS, in 1973 Mr. Carmichael reaffirmed his commitment to serving his country, through a Presidential appointment, where he served for three years as chairman of the National Highway Safety Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Transportation; and

WHEREAS, in 1976 President Ford appointed him to the National Transportation Policy Study Commission, where he served until 1979, later he was appointed to the Amtrak Reform Council by Majority Leader, Senator Trent Lott, and later served as chairman of that committee; and

WHEREAS, from 1989 to 1993, Mr. Carmichael served as head of the Federal Railroad Administration for President Bush's administration, he also founded the Intermodal Transportation Institute at the University of Denver; and

WHEREAS, at home in Mississippi, Mr. Carmichael was a pioneer in transportation, he helped originate, author and pass a 1,077-mile statewide four-lane highway construction program and was instrumental in the creation of a 700-mile regional railroad in East Mississippi and West Alabama; and

WHEREAS, at the State Capitol in Jackson, Mississippi, there were few who could rival the influence of Mr. Carmichael, he mentored many of the minds that served the State's highest offices and achieved incalculable successes for the State, he proved unwavering dedication to the State of Mississippi, running for the United States Senate in 1972, for Governor in 1975 and 1979 as well as running for Lieutenant Governor in 1983; and

WHEREAS, though Mr. Carmichael has commenced upon the transformative journey, from mortality to the immeasurable glory of salvation in the Lord, his service and contribution to the world will long endure and memories of many wonderful and happy times now bring the light of joy to the hearts of his loving survivors: Mrs. Carolyn Dean White Carmichael, his loving wife of 63 years; Gilbert Scott Carmichael, his son; sisters, Sue Horton and Myrna Horton; along with a host of grandchildren and loving friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to pay tribute and commend the life of such a selfless, caring and inspiring Mississippian as Mr. Gilbert Ellzey "Gil" Carmichael whose light of love shines bright, casting away the darkness of pain and loss:

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 commemorate the life and legacy of an incomparable servant to the United States of America, and the State of Mississippi, and extend deepest sympathy upon his passing and convey grateful appreciation for his many gifts, which he selflessly shared with his beloved country and state.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this concurrent resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Gilbert Ellzey "Gil" Carmichael and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.