MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (32nd), Simmons (13th), Blackmon, Blackwell, Blount, Branning, Butler, Carter, Chassaniol, DeBar, Doty, Fillingane, Frazier, Harkins, Hill, Hopson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jordan, McCaughn, McDaniel, McMahan, Moran, Norwood, Parker, Parks, Polk, Simmons (12th), Sojourner, Suber, Tate, Thomas, Turner-Ford, Whaley, Wiggins, Witherspoon, Younger
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING FORMER STATE SENATOR AND RECENTLY ELECTED CENTRAL TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER WILLIE SIMMONS AS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN ELECTED TO THE MISSISSIPPI TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION.
WHEREAS, Willie Simmons is entering his first term as Central District Transportation Commissioner which covers 22 counties of North Mississippi with a population of approximately one million people; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Simmons served as a Mississippi State Senator for more than 26 years, first elected in 1993. For the last 8 years, he served as Chairman of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee; and
WHEREAS, under his leadership in the Senate, over $5 Billion was spent throughout the state on the construction and upgrade of federal and state roads, county and municipal streets and bridges, and also, millions of dollars on public transit, ports, railroads, airports and other infrastructure support systems. He played an integral role on projects such as the repair of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Jackson; the upgrade and repair of Highway 8 in Cleveland; and the Highway 82 Bypass in Leland among many others; and
WHEREAS, he also served as Chairman of the Corrections Committee and Vice Chairman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee. Commissioner Willie Simmons is a man of integrity and hard work with a complete knowledge of Mississippi's highway finance and corrections systems, and there is an acknowledged respect of our esteemed colleague, gentleman and enlightened lawmaker; and
WHEREAS, Simmons served as Deputy Commissioner of Corrections prior to joining the Mississippi State Senate. Before that time, he served as a Combat Veteran of the Vietnam War. He is a graduate of Alcorn State University, and received a Master of Science Degree and Educational Specalist Degree from Delta State University. He is a member of Solomon Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church and his affiliations include: American Correctional Association; Bolivar County 100 Black Men; Prince Hall Mason; Omega Psi Phi; NAACP; and Alcorn State University and Delta State University Alumni Associations; and
WHEREAS, he is married to Rose Sibley Simmons and they have four children: Avery, Christopher, Reginald and Sarita; and ten grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Simmons's service has been marked by his commitment to success and recognized leadership, sound judgment and fairness. He has set the highest standard in all his many roles, as a father, husband, businessman, Veteran, citizen, statesman, leader in the Mississippi Senate and Commissioner of Mississippi Transportation Commission and as a true friend:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and congratulate former State Senator and newly elected Central Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons as the first African American elected to the Mississippi Transportation Commission, and we wish Willie and his family much success in their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Commissioner Willie Simmons, forwarded to the Mississippi Transportation Commission, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.