House Concurrent Resolution 94

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ESTEEMED AND LAUDABLE LEGISLATIVE CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE MOST HONORABLE AND DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM PANOLA, REPRESENTATIVE NOLAN METTETAL, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WHEREAS, the honorable and distinguished Gentleman from Panola, Representative Nolan Mettetal has announced his plans for retirement from the Mississippi House of Representatives at the conclusion of the 2019 Regular Session of the Mississippi Legislature, after tirelessly working on behalf of the citizens of Mississippi, Senate District 10, which encompasses portions of Panola and Tate Counties, and House District 10, which encompasses portions of Lafayette, Panola and Tallahatchie Counties, marking a triumphant end to 24 years of legislative service in the hallowed halls of the Mississippi State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, before assuming his seat as the member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from District 10 in 2012, Representative Mettetal, a graduate of South Panola High School, Northwest Community College and the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, served in the Mississippi Senate for 16 years from 1996 to 2011, where he served two terms as Chairman of the Business and Financial Institutions Committee and one term as Chairman of the Public Utilities Committee under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck and then Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant; and

WHEREAS, upon his election to the Mississippi Senate in 1995, Nolan Mettetal became the distinguished Gentleman from Panola upon being sworn into office on the first day of his first legislative session in January 1996, and wasted no time requesting the legislation, amendments and reports that would help effectuate into law the ideologies and policy changes that his constituents had elected him to further; and

WHEREAS, Representative Mettetal's love and deeply felt respect for the Legislature as a hallowed institution is innately apparent in his welcoming and authentically pleasant and cordial disposition, which have served as beacons of hope in pursuits to preserve and nurture the integrity of the body for all legislators who equally hold a lion's share in the stake of advancing the direction of the state's economic, educational and political climate; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as a legislator, Representative Mettetal has served on the following committees: Senate Committees on Appropriations, Business and Financial Institutions as Chairman, Economic Development, Education, Finance, Highways and Transportation, Insurance, Interstate and Federal Cooperation, Juvenile Justice, Oil, Gas and Other Minerals, Public Health and Welfare, Public Property, Public Utilities as Chairman, Rules, Tourism and Parks as Vice Chairman, and Universities and Colleges; House Committees on Appropriations, Banking and Financial Services, Corrections, Medicaid, Public Property, Public Utilities, Universities and Colleges as Chairman, and Workforce Development; and

WHEREAS, not one to limit his community involvement to the Legislature, Representative Mettetal, a pharmacist by profession, has always been active in his district and dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens, as evidenced by his service and affiliation as a member of the Mississippi Pharmacist Association, the Panola Partnership, the Sardis Chamber of Commerce, the National Rifle Association and the Alumni Associations of Northwest Community College and the University of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, while Representative Mettetal has been favored with many opportunities both far and near, those that really know his heart know that his first love is his darling wife, Mrs. Kay Mettetal, whose warm disposition, beautiful smile, impeccable style and dress and dainty presence, compliments his stature so well, and has become a chief mainstay throughout the Capitol, as most would bestow upon her the title of honorary legislator and refer to her as the Gentle Lady from Panola; and

WHEREAS, the members of the House of Representatives will cherish the bond and common goals for the betterment of this great state shared with the Honorable Representative Nolan Mettetal over the course of the past eight years, and that his impeccable service was unparalleled to the Mississippi Legislature and to the constituents of District 10; and

WHEREAS, Representative Mettetal has led and continues to lead a life of bravery in the face of challenge, sincerity in the face of apathy and honesty in the presence of deceit, and through it all, this remarkable person has remained a phenomenal gentleman, grounded in his integrity, who seeks to improve the lives of others through positive example, hard work and the undeniable truths of the Word of God, as evidenced through his faith walk at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, the service of Representative Mettetal would be without honor but for the continued support, encouragement and love of his family, who have endured the daunting struggles that accompany the life of an elected official, and much credit is also due to his loved ones who have sacrificed countless hours without him in order to allow him to fulfill his legislative obligations, including: his wife, Kay Ford Mettetal; children, Dr. Cary Nolan Mettetal (Carla), a practicing physician in Sardis, and Kim Mettetal Reed (Randall), a Senatobia nurse practitioner; grandchildren, Gracie Kay Mettetal, Jules Mettetal, Nolan Paul Reed, Adelaide Reed and Sadie Kay Reed; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor the indelible legacy of remarkable service of our colleague and friend, Representative Nolan Mettetal, who represented his district, this body and the people of this state with honor and intrepid dignity:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the esteemed and laudable legislative career and public service of the most honorable, distinguished Gentleman from Panola, Representative Nolan Mettetal, and express fondest respect and best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Representative Nolan Mettetal and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.