MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) DeLano, Wiggins, Carter, England, Jackson (32nd), Seymour, Thompson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE, PROSECUTORIAL CAREER AND MILITARY SERVICE OF HONORABLE CONO ANTHONY CARANNA II OF BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE TO HIS SURVIVING FAMILY.
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of Honorable Cono Caranna II of Biloxi, Mississippi, on January 9, 2020; and
WHEREAS, he was a graduate of Biloxi High School 1960, the University of Southern Mississippi, and the University of Mississippi School of Law. He served in the United States Army as a Rifle Company Commander in Vietnam where he was awarded a Bronze Star with "V" device, two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal and a Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, Cono began his public service career in 1973 when he was appointed Biloxi City Attorney by Mayor Jerry O'Keefe. He later became the longest-serving full-time District Attorney in South Mississippi history. He was the first District Attorney in the 5th Congressional District to hire a full-time African American Assistant District Attorney. He established the first Victim Witness Coordinator program in a Mississippi Prosecutor's Office which served as a model for present-day victims assistance coordinators. Cono was the first District Attorney in the state to support life without parole as a sentencing option in capital murder trials. The provision passed the Legislature in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Cono established the first drug court in the Second Circuit Court District and worked for passage of legislation creating a bad check collection unit enacted into law in 1988. He substantially enlarged a pretrial diversion program for nonviolent offenders. Starting in 1984, he was able to build support for a computerized system providing better court management and criminal records. Cono established the first multidisciplinary team to improve services to victims of sexual assault and to more effectively prosecute those crimes; and
WHEREAS, Cono was recognized by the Harrison County Library Board of Trustees and Friends of the Gulfport Library for "saving the library" by marshaling public and political support to change announced GSA plans to raze the building for the federal courthouse site; and
WHEREAS, Cono served as the State President for the City Attorneys Association, President of the Harrison County Bar Association, Commissioner for the Mississippi State Bar Association, Board Member, Mississippi Prosecutors Association and County Chairman of the American Heart Association. His memberships included the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of Purple Heart, Friends of the Harrison County Libraries, Executive Committee Harrison County Democratic Party, and the William Winter Institute of Racial Reconciliation; and
WHEREAS, Cono was preceded in death by his parents, Cono Anthony Caranna and Katherine Cooley Caranna. Cono is survived by his wife, Judge Margaret Alfonso; his daughter, Katie (Eric Kravette) and their children, Allison and Andrew; his son, Cono III (Sue) and their children, Kennedy and Cono IV; his stepdaughter, Mandy; and his sister, Nancy Caranna Landrum; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of south Mississippi, whose enormous civic energy and lifetime of selfless service is a legacy for all in South Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby pay tribute to the public service, prosecutorial career and military service of Honorable Cono Anthony Caranna II of Biloxi, Mississippi, and expressing the sympathy of the Legislature to his surviving family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family and friends of Cono Caranna, forwarded to The Mississippi Bar and the Mississippi Prosecutors Association, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.