House Concurrent Resolution 85

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF MR. CHARLES NOEL HUGHES, RESPECTED EMPLOYEE OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on January 1, 2016, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Charles Noel Hughes, to eternal rest, causing great sorrow and loss to his family and many friends; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature and the State of Mississippi lost a friend, colleague, gentleman and dedicated public servant with the passing of Mr. Hughes, "Noel" as he was affectionately called, of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP); and

WHEREAS, a native of McComb, Mississippi, and resident of Morton, Mississippi, Noel graduated from McComb High School and furthered his postsecondary educational matriculation at Delta State University and the University of Southern Mississippi, and upon completion of his baccalaureate studies immediately went to work in the professional sector before being retained as a consultant by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks in October of 2000 to readily and reputably assist the state park system in the operation of its golf courses; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hughes served in consultant capacity with the MDWFP for a brief time before his wealth of knowledge and efficiency of service were deemed an essential asset, which were pivotal character traits inducing the department's administration to hire him as a state employee, and resulted with his promotion to Director of State Park Operations; and

WHEREAS, evidencing a venerable work ethic and commitment to improve park services and increase outdoor recreational activities, Mr. Hughes later served as interim Director of State Parks, while continuing to advance in the ranks of leadership within the department, eventually becoming the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Community Services in 2007, the capacity in which he served until his life's expiration; and

WHEREAS, in his capacity as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Community Services, Noel became a fixture at the Capitol during the annual Regular Sessions of the Mississippi Legislature, and as fate would lend itself to the building upon the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of his life by the Great Deity and grand architect of our lives' design, his continual presence in the Capitol's corridors in addition to his love, chivalry and affection pierced the heart of Jo Ann Bates, an administrative assistant to the House of Representatives, and the duo became bone of one another's bone and flesh of one another's flesh after exchanging the nuptials of holy matrimony and forging a story book relationship as spouses, friends and professional colleagues, being that Jo Ann staffed the House committee assigned to the legislative affairs of the MDWFP; and

WHEREAS, Noel was a most respected public servant with a quiet, confident presence and always eager to assist a member of this most auspicious body with requests for information about natural resources, state parks or other matters, and would often personally address constituent issues for members; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hughes excelled in presenting the needs of the department to the members, and forged many strong friendships in both the House and Senate irrespective of party affiliation as he represented the department, his colleagues and the State of Mississippi in exceptional fashion in the performance of all of his duties; and

WHEREAS, Noel's public service was exemplified by fairness and sound counsel, as he set the highest standard as a friend of the Legislature and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and now enjoys the eternal peace described in Luke 2:29, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word"; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Mr. Hughes will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors, especially his wife, Jo Ann Bates Hughes, and his colleagues of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; and

WHEREAS, we encourage those who knew and loved Noel to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member and friend in Revelation 21:4, wherein it is recorded, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" and renewed in their faith that Mr. Hughes fulfilled the commandment of II Timothy 4:7 by having fought a good fight, finishing his course and keeping the faith until the hour of his departure was at hand; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the life of a remarkably altruistic public servant such as Mr. Hughes, whose life's light was an impassioned beacon of inspiration as he imparted his exceptional wisdom and passion for outdoor recreation into the lives of all he encountered along this earthly sojourn:

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 legacy of the public service of Charles Noel Hughes, express the deepest sympathy of the Mississippi Legislature to his family and friends upon his passing and convey our immeasurable gratitude for sharing Noel with us and with the State of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Hughes, to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.