MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Huddleston (30th), Hines, Scott, Anderson, Bailey, Baker, Banks, Blackmon, Bounds, Calhoun, Campbell, Carpenter, Chism, Clark, Cockerham, Coleman, Currie, Denny, Dixon, Dortch, Ellis, Gibbs, Gipson, Holloway, Karriem, Mickens, Middleton, Miles, Paden, Perkins, Rogers (61st), Straughter, Sullivan, Sykes, Thomas, Walker, Watson, Williams-Barnes
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING REPRESENTATIVE REECY L. DICKSON FOR HER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WHEREAS, Representative Reecy L. Dickson represented House District 42, which then included Kemper, Lauderdale and Noxubee Counties, for 22 years; and
WHEREAS, Representative Dickson was born on October 24, 1944, in Macon, Mississippi, to the late John and Mary Latham, who through their love and care instilled the core values of hard work, dedication, and honesty to her and her eight siblings; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Dickson graduated from B.F. Liddell High School and earned her bachelor of science degree in music education from Mississippi Valley State University and also earned her master's degree from Mississippi State University; and
WHEREAS, after serving in the educational workforce for many years as a music teacher in Macon, Mississippi, her discontent with the poor education system at the time reached a fevered pitch and she decided to run for the Superintendent of Education's seat in Noxubee County in 1975, which had only been held by white males; and
WHEREAS, in her campaign for the superintendent's office, she faced countless obstacles, from being barred from the Democratic primary on a technicality and running as an independent, the struggle of bringing numerous black citizens to the courthouse and registering them to vote, threatening phone calls and her car being vandalized, while ultimately Representative Dickson lost the race her dedication and commitment to education was reaffirmed, as evidenced by her having to fight to keep her job as a teacher; and
WHEREAS, four years later, thanks to the community's encouragement and support, Mrs. Dickson ran again and this time she won, becoming the first African American elected in Noxubee County's county-wide office and the first African-American woman to be elected Superintendent of Education in the history of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, after serving eight years as superintendent, Mrs. Dickson went on to implement changes that greatly improved the educational experience for teachers and students, she established after-school programs in Tallahatchie and Noxubee Counties, where children were taught how to effectively use computers to further their academic and professional opportunities, ultimately she established a high demand for excellence and created a positive environment that many students and teachers considered the best years of their lives; and
WHEREAS, after eight wonderful years as superintendent, Mrs. Dickson lost the election for a third term, instead of returning to the classroom she decided to pursue an new undertaking, she worked in consultant services and insurance, demonstrating her unparalleled flexibility and ambition; and
WHEREAS, possessing a deep desire to do more for her community and state, Mrs. Dickson ran for the Mississippi House of Representatives, District 42, and won in 1993; and
WHEREAS, during her tenure as a legislator she served on several committees which included: Apportionment and Elections, Appropriations, Corrections, Education, Enrolled Bills, Insurance, Public Property, Tourism, Workforce Development and Chairwoman of the Select Committee on Poverty; and
WHEREAS, throughout her career Representative Dickson committed herself to serving others throughout her community, she also went to great lengths to ensure equality for all Mississippians by honoring Mr. Richard Williams, Mr. Lewis Younger Jr., and Mr. Walter Crosby with plaques for serving as the first African-American members of the Mississippi Highway Patrol to commemorate this accomplishment; and
WHEREAS, Representative Dickson was recognized by her peers through her nomination and election as their Chairwoman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus; and
WHEREAS, Representative Dickson was also passionately committed to addressing the problem of poverty in Mississippi, as Chair of the House Select Committee on Poverty, she brought the problem home to members of the House by inviting 20 county officials from the 20 poorest counties before the House of Representatives to emphasize the importance of solving one of Mississippi's most dire problems; and
WHEREAS, we remember her love as an educator and school administrator who turned her passion to the State Legislature, she introduced and supported legislation she believed protected the rights of all children in the state, and she addressed the pervasive problem of poverty head on; and
WHEREAS, Representative Dickson has earned the reputation for being passionate, honest, knowledgeable, trustworthy and hard working, these core values, learned as a child, afforded her the opportunity to serve her community with dignity and the Mississippi House of Representatives for over 22 years:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and recognize Representative Reecy L. Dickson, whose outstanding service enriched everyone with whom she was associated and we wish Mrs. Reecy and husband, Mr. Billie Charles Dickson, her four children, Billie, Jr., Dirk, Ron and Roxie, much success in all of their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Representative Reecy L. Dickson and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.