MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blackmon, Simmons (13th), Barnett, Blount, Butler, Caughman, Frazier, Hopson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Suber, Witherspoon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE PIONEERING ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN JUSTICE OF THE MISSISSIPPI SUPREME COURT, THE HONORABLE REUBEN VINCENT ANDERSON, AND ACKNOWLEDGING HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Mississippi attorney and jurist, the Honorable Reuben Vincent Anderson, has experienced an exponential series of "firsts" in his career, beginning with his becoming the first African American graduate of the University of Mississippi Law School in 1967, being sworn in as the first African American Supreme Court Justice in the State of Mississippi on January 16, 1985, a position he held until his retirement from the bench in 1991, and serving as the first African American President of The Mississippi Bar Association from 1997 to 1998; and
WHEREAS, born in Jackson, Mississippi, on September 16, 1942, to a father who was a bricklayer, and raised in the small community of St. John near Bolton, Mississippi, before permanently relocating to Jackson as an adolescent, Anderson graduated from Tougaloo College in 1965, and chose to pursue a law degree from the University of Mississippi Law School only five years after James Meredith integrated Ole Miss, becoming the second African American student to be admitted to the law school after Cleve McDowell's admission in 1963; and
WHEREAS, a consistent public figure in the evolving social, political and economic landscapes of Mississippi for more than four decades, Mr. Anderson, unlike many other African American Mississippians who came of age in the 1960s and left the state for a better quality of life and opportunity, made the conscious decision to remain in his beloved Magnolia State and work to effectuate the necessary changes to improve our capital city and state; and
WHEREAS, a young lad who perhaps never dreamed he would one day step into history and become a difference-maker, yet because he chose to live his life demonstrably expressing his values, beliefs and principles, he is today heralded as a man of vision and courage, a vital mentor, role model and precedent-setter; and
WHEREAS, Anderson's well-chronicled career was fashioned into existence during his time as a student at Tougaloo College, which served as the epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi, when student activism was at its peak and seeds of idealism were planted that Tougaloo students could change the world; seeds that took root in the fertile soil of Anderson's heart and grew into a majestic oak tree with acorns of service, compassion, wisdom and generosity in abundant supply, that would shelter those who sought refuge in its selfless offerings of diplomacy, unassuming thoughtfulness, humility and kindness; and
WHEREAS, having become a part and symbol of the goals of the Civil Rights Movement, and understanding the danger as well as the consequential long-term impact of his sacrificial courage during such a turbulent time of grave racial strife in Mississippi's history, Mr. Anderson's decision to attend the University of Mississippi was potentially a life-threatening decision, yet he persisted and persevered to graduate from law school in 1967 and immediately joined the staff of the Mississippi NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund with his childhood friend and fellow Holy Ghost Catholic Church classmate Fred Banks, before joining the private firm of Anderson, Banks, Nichols and Stewart, which litigated prominent civil rights and school desegregation cases, including work on the appellate brief to allow the Mississippi Loyalist Democrats that ability to gain representation at the 1968 Democratic Convention, and presented the motions for new plans of desegregation in the Southern District of Mississippi, which eventually led to the landmark decision in Alexander v. Holmes; and
WHEREAS, during the early 1970s, Attorney Anderson in his unmitigated quest to achieve a level of success that would serve as a catalyst to encourage others to break through the glass ceiling of political governance for African Americans when he announced his candidacy for Jackson City Council, and though he was unsuccessful in his bid, the pebble had been cast upon the water, and the ripple effect of his presence as an agent of change was sending reverberating shockwaves to the masses; and
WHEREAS, Anderson's career as a judge began with successive appointments to judgeships beginning in 1976, when he was appointed as judge in the Municipal Court for the City of Jackson, before later receiving a 1977 appointment to the County Court in Hinds County, becoming the first person of color elected countywide when he ran for the county judgeship unopposed that same year, which increased his credibility and reputation as an even-handed issuer of justice to ensure his unopposed election in 1981 to the Circuit Court; and
WHEREAS, in 1982 Governor William "Bill" Allain appointed him as a Circuit Judge for the 7th Circuit District, which encompassed Hinds and Yazoo Counties, and subsequently, in 1985, Governor Allain elevated Judge Anderson to the Mississippi Supreme Court, to which he was elected twice, and which opened the process for other African Americans to serve in the judiciary, including the likes of his fellow law partner Fred Banks, who would become his successor on both the 7th Circuit Court District and the Mississippi Supreme Court; and
WHEREAS, having traveled an uncommon path to reach the pinnacle of sustained success that has garnered him a reputation for his diligence, Judge Anderson has operated as the go-to-guy for his alma mater Tougaloo College, for politicians big and small, for African Americans and Caucasians and for the business community by finessing the mechanics of brokering relationships and getting favorable results which have led to the creation of the Jackson Medical Mall, the E-Center at Jackson State University, the Reuben V. Anderson Prelaw Program at Tougaloo College and the Civil Rights Museum in Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, in 1991, Judge Anderson retired from the Supreme Court and joined a private law firm, Phelps Dunbar LLP, where he serves as a partner in the areas of commercial litigation, and regulatory and governmental matters, in addition to serving or having served on the boards of several publicly-traded corporations, including: AT&T, Dallas, Texas (Director);
The Kroger Company, Cincinnati, Ohio (Director); MINACT Inc., Jackson, Mississippi (Director); Kroger; Burlington Resources; and BellSouth, as well as prominent nonprofit organizations, including The Nature Conservancy and the United Way; and
WHEREAS, recognized for his years of service in the legal arena, Judge Anderson's successes are attributable to his immense legal talent and consummate professionalism which are further highlighted by the paramount accolades he has amassed throughout his storied career, including, but not limited to: AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell; Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business Appellate Practice (2010-2020); Arbitration in Jackson (2011-2020); Commercial Litigation (2007-2020); Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants (2011-2020); Mediation (2011-2020); The Best Lawyers in America; Mid-South Super Lawyers list (2006-2019); the establishment of Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Society at his alma mater, Tougaloo College; University of Mississippi School of Law Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee (2011); The Mississippi Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award, (2007); University of Mississippi School of Law Alumnus of the Year (2005); and University of Mississippi Alumni Hall of Fame Inductee (1995); and
WHEREAS, one who has perfected his craft by honing his skills through practice and professional associations with like-minded individuals, Judge Anderson, who held the Jamie L. Whitten Chair of Law and Government at the University of Mississippi in 1995, also holds professional memberships and affiliations with the following: The Mississippi Bar Association; Hinds County Bar Association; Magnolia Bar Association; National Bar Association; United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Bar Association; United States Supreme Court Bar Association; Chairman of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum; Mississippi Economic Council; State Chamber of Commerce; 100 Black Men of Jackson; Trustee of Ole Miss Alumni Association; and Trustee and Past Chairman of the Board of Tougaloo College; and
WHEREAS, the service of Judge Anderson would be without honor but for the continued support, encouragement and love of his loving wife, Phyllis Anderson; their three children, Vincent, Raina and Rosalyn; and two grandchildren, James and Anderson, who endured the daunting struggles that accompany the life of a public official, and who sacrificed countless hours without him in order to allow him to fulfill his obligations; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to pay homage to those individuals of Judge Anderson's caliber, who have served as trailblazing pioneers, and whose contributions merit the same measure of recognition as that experienced by the State of Mississippi as a result of his service to the people of this state with honor and intrepid dignity:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the distinguished and laudable career and exceptional contributions of former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Reuben V. Anderson, acknowledge his contributions to the State of Mississippi, and express fondest respect and best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Honorable Reuben Vincent Anderson, forwarded to the Mississippi Supreme Court and The Mississippi Bar, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.