House Resolution 103

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ESTEEMED CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF MRS. GLORIA JENNINGS PURNELL RENDERED TO THE CITIZENS OF MISSISSIPPI AS ASSISTANT CLERK, RESPONSIBLE FOR JOURNAL AND MESSAGE CLERK DUTIES FOR THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND CONGRATULATING HER UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, after nearly 36 years, 32 years of which have been spent in full-time capacity providing dedicated and zealous service to the Mississippi House of Representatives and the entire constituency of the 122 elected members which comprise the House's body, Mrs. Gloria Jennings Purnell will retire from public service as Assistant Clerk, responsible for Journal and Message Clerk duties for the House of Representatives, on June 30, 2020, where she has become a synonymous fixture associated with the legislative activity on the West Wing of the Mississippi State Capitol's third floor, after having first begun her prestigious career as a part-time staffer on January 1, 1984, before transitioning to permanent full-time status in 1988; and

WHEREAS, a native Jacksonian, born to Mr. Earvin Avery Jennings and Mrs. Minnie Ellen "Min" Jennings, who was also a longtime House employee, having served as executive assistant to Speaker John Junkin and Speaker Walter Sillers, Gloria was instilled with the core principles that hard work and living a life of respect and integrity, grounded in faith and a superior educational foundation, were the formula for a successful life; and

WHEREAS, equipped with the essential life tools imparted by her parents, Gloria, who attended the Jackson Public School District's Duling Elementary, Bailey Junior High and Murrah High Schools, where she was a member of the acclaimed Murrah Singers, furthered her collegiate matriculation at the University of Mississippi, where she attained both her bachelor of arts degree as a double major in English and Spanish, with a minor in speech; and

WHEREAS, prior to her arrival at the Mississippi State Capitol in 1984, Gloria possessed a stellar curricula vitae with professional experience in both the private and public sector, including work with First National Bank during her collegiate summer breaks, as an English and Spanish teacher at W.P. Daniel High School in New Albany, Mississippi (1964-1966) and the Department of Public Welfare, the predecessor to the Mississippi Department of Human Services-Child Welfare Division, which made her acclimation to the political culture of the Mississippi Legislature seamless, as she quickly became a curator of character and personality of individual legislators, staff and lobbyists; and

WHEREAS, a stellar employee and a proven invaluable asset to the House's systems of operation and functionality, Gloria's exceptional performance afforded her the opportunity to be meritoriously promoted to the Clerk's Office, and her consistency in performance has never waivered from the date of her initial hire until her decision to conclude her prestigious legislative career; and

WHEREAS, Gloria has witnessed the evolution of state history unfold in the shape of policy formulated by legislators, future governors, other statewide elected officials, congressmen and those who have transitioned from legislative careers to municipal leadership, state and federal judiciary membership, as well as statewide offices from auditor to governor, as well as national ambassadorships and officeholders; and

WHEREAS, equally committed to volunteerism and the humane treatment of animals as she is to public service, Gloria, who has sponsored numerous fundraisers for no-kill animal shelters, is an active member of the American Cancer Society as a "Relay for Life" teams' coordinator, has participated in the Cancer Action Network, has served as an American Cancer Society ambassador in Washington, D.C., and established and orchestrated the implementation of the annual "Valentines for Vets" and "Shoeboxes for the Homeless" projects for the Mississippi House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, not to have a life with complete dimension and total fulfillment, Gloria discovered an ever abounding love when she met her soul mate, Paul Tanner Purnell, as students attending rival high schools, which sparked a lasting courtship during their college years before solidifying that bond when they exchanged nuptials in August 22, 1964, at Galloway United Methodist Church, in what would become the most enlightening years of her life, in a romance of 41 years that further expounded upon the tenets of love, generosity and selflessness shared between the two and their two sons, until it was ordained by the spiritual deity to summon Paul into the inner courts of eternity's paradise in 2005; and

WHEREAS, much to the credit of Gloria's indomitable spirit, the loss of her husband could not impede her ability to remain resilient in the performance of fulfilling her duties and responsibilities to the House of Representatives, with the guidance and tender care of her family, and rebirth of the Purnell progeny through her sons, Paul (Jacque) and Greg (Deborah) with the addition of four grandchildren, Avery, Landes, Parker and Tanner, who are the apples of her eye; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge outstanding Mississippians such as Gloria Jennings Purnell, one we are proud to call our own, whose daily presence in the halls of the Capitol will be sorely missed, but whose legacy of selflessness, fairness, hard work, professionalism and overall commitment to improving the individual lives of others and her community and state, has made an indelible mark on the Mississippi Legislature and all those who have been privileged to know and work with her:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the esteemed career and public service that Gloria Jennings Purnell rendered to the citizens of Mississippi as an Assistant Clerk, responsible for Journal and Message Clerk duties for the House of Representatives, congratulate her upon the occasion of her retirement from public service and extend warmest wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Gloria Jennings Purnell and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.