MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Chism, Barnett, Branning, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Kirby, McLendon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE LEGACY OF FORMER NORTHERN DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER ZACK STEWART AND THANKING HIM FOR HIS OUTSTANDING RECORD OF EFFECTIVE AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, we join the public highway construction industry and the citizens of North Mississippi in recognizing the legacy and effective leadership of former Northern District Transportation Commissioner Zack Stewart; and
WHEREAS, Zack Stewart was elected Transportation Commissioner in 1983 and completed his fifth term as Commissioner for the Northern District in 2003; and
WHEREAS, Zack Stewart was viewed by colleagues in public highway construction around America with a measure of respect; he was past Chairman of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO); and
WHEREAS, he was born on June 27, 1937, in Dumas, Tippah County, Mississippi and grew up in Pontotoc County's Troy Community. Zack attended Pontotoc County schools, Itawamba Community College in Fulton and Mississippi State University. He served in the Marine Corps from 1958 to 1961. While in the Marine Corps, Mr. Stewart completed extension work from East Carolina and North Carolina State Universities; and
WHEREAS, Zack served as an Engineer with WCBI-TV in Columbus and was a Senior Customer Engineer for IBM Corporation. He was appointed in 1972 to head the Mississippi Division of Appalachian Development and was the owner of Stewart Construction Company; and
WHEREAS, while serving in office, Commissioner Stewart considered his most outstanding accomplishments as Commissioner to be:
• Instrumental in the preparation, passage and implementation of the 1987 Four-Lane Highway Program. He was one of the architects of the $1.6-billion-dollar 1987 Highway Program, which gradually allowed for the funding of over 1,000 miles of four-lane highways statewide. The first project was the four-lane expansion of Highway 72. He was also involved in the four-laning of Highway 178, which became Highway 78 and is now Interstate 22 from Memphis to Birmingham;
• The establishment of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, including the Intermodal Aspect and Weight Enforcement responsibilities;
• The construction of the MDOT Administration Building in Jackson, Mississippi;
• The implementation of allowing prisoners to pick up litter on highways;
• Past Chairman of the Three Rivers Planning and Development District Board of Directors during the development of the Tanglefoot Trail, Mississippi's longest Rails-to-Trails conversion;
• Volunteers with the Union County Heritage Museum in New Albany in all facets of construction, repair and outdoor design;
• Instrumental in procuring the now-existing four-lane bridge across the Tallahatchie River in New Albany. The original design called for fewer lanes; however, the knowledge and experience of Zack's past career propelled him to express his concern about future infrastructure, and his compelling argument resulted in a change of plans. The easier flow of traffic in downtown New Albany is a direct result of Zack's influence, and the steel structure with its hometown look is a completion of the vision of the man who had the foresight to consider the growing needs of his beloved Fair and Friendly City; and
WHEREAS, Zack is married to the former Betty Joe Jaggers of the Furrs Community in Pontotoc; they have four children and seven grandchildren; the Stewarts are members of Hillcrest Baptist Church in New Albany; and
WHEREAS, it is because of the contributions that Zack Stewart has made to the State of Mississippi and continues to make to New Albany, that the Legislature has named the Highway 178/Bankhead Street Bridge, the "Zack Stewart Bridge"; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Legislature wish to express sincere appreciation to Commissioner Stewart for his many outstanding accomplishments and record of dedicated public service:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend our friend Zack Stewart for all that he has meant to the highway program in the State of Mississippi and his unmatched contributions to the people of the State of Mississippi following his retirement from public office, and we extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Senate on their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Commissioner Stewart and his family and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.