House Resolution 119

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING BOB TYLER FOR HIS LIFE OF SERVICE TO YALOBUSHA COUNTY AND THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT IN JUNE 2022 AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE YALOBUSHA COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.

WHEREAS, Bob Tyler, affectionately known to many as "Coach," is retiring in June 2022 as Executive Director of the Yalobusha County Economic Development District after 15 outstanding years of service in the position; and

WHEREAS, on December 19, 2007, board members of the Yalobusha County Economic Development District officially elected Bob Tyler as director of the district, and he had initially served as chairman of the nine-person board – and was later appointed interim director earlier in the month as the fledgling entity got up to speed; and

WHEREAS, Bob Tyler was a familiar figure in Yalobusha County, best known for his 32-year football coaching career, which he started in 1955 at Water Valley High School; and the pinnacle of his coaching years was in 1973, where he led the Mississippi State Bulldogs to a 9–3 season and in 1974 with a Sun Bowl victory over North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, in 1992, he was appointed by Governor Kirk Fordice as Director of Parks with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP); and he worked in this position for four years, and worked another four and a half years as deputy director of the department; and

WHEREAS, Bob Tyler left the agency in 2000 and coached for three more years, before returning to the MDWFP as a consultant, and he serves as an ex officio board member of the Foundation for Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; and

WHEREAS, in 2021, he was inducted into the Mississippi State University M-Club Hall of Fame, and though he coached at Water Valley, Okolona, Senatobia, Meridian, Corinth, Ole Miss and Alabama, it was his six years coaching the Mississippi State Bulldogs that earned him the most recognition; and

WHEREAS, Bob Tyler and his wife, Dale, who both received degrees from the University of Mississippi, are truly a team in all their endeavors, a beautiful couple who always say "we" rather than "I"; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor great Mississippians, especially those such as Bob Tyler, whose tireless efforts and steadfast commitment to promote Yalobusha County, Mississippi, will be remembered for generations to come:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do recognize and honor Bob Tyler for his life of service to Yalobusha County and the State of Mississippi upon the occasion of his retirement as Executive Director of the Yalobusha County Economic Development District, and extend sincerest wishes for continued success in his lighter days ahead.

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