House Resolution 185

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE MOST HONORABLE AND DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM CHICKASAW, REPRESENTATIVE DE'KEITHER A. STAMPS, FOR HIS ESTEEMED AND LAUDABLE LEGISLATIVE CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS DEPARTURE FROM THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WHEREAS, the honorable and distinguished Gentleman from Chickasaw, Representative De'Keither A. Stamps, has announced his plans not to seek reelection to the Mississippi House of Representatives at the conclusion of the 2020-2024 term of the Legislature, as he has qualified to seek the office of Mississippi Public Service Commission, after tirelessly working on behalf of the citizens of Mississippi and House District 66, of Hinds County, marking an end to two and one-half years of legislative service in the hallowed halls of the Mississippi State Capitol; and

WHEREAS, before assuming his seat as the member of the House of Representatives from District 66, Representative Stamps, a graduate of Crystal Springs High School, immediately answered the call to patriotic duty to defend Lady Liberty against all domestic and foreign threats to the preservation of democracy by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, where he spent three years on Presidential Security for President Clinton before concluding his career as a Devil Dog in 2002 after completing a three-year overseas assignment for the State Department in Africa, Switzerland and the United Kingdom; and

WHEREAS, upon his election to the House of Representatives in the 2020 special election to fill the seat vacated by former Representative Jarvis Dortch, De'Keither A. Stamps, who re-enlisted into the Army in 2005 in furtherance of liberating Iraq by spending three years with the 82nd Airborne Division on back-to-back deployments, became the distinguished Gentleman from Hinds upon being sworn into legislative office, and wasted no time requesting the legislation, amendments and reports that would help effectuate into law the ideologies and policy changes that his constituents had elected him to further; and

WHEREAS, Representative Stamps' passion for empowerment through public service laid the foundation for his advocacy through public speaking, proved his incomparable work ethic and commitment to improving the quality of life and opportunities for success for the residents of the City of Jackson during his service as a member of the Jackson City Council from 2013 through 2020; and

WHEREAS, possessing a love and deeply felt respect for diplomacy, which is innately apparent in his welcoming and authentically pleasant and cordial disposition, Representative Stamps' careers as a member of the military, civilian and as a local and state elected official have served as a beacon of hope for those in pursuit of preserving and nurturing the integrity of the legislative body; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as a legislator, Representative Stamps has served as a member of the House Committees on Constitution, Investigate State Offices, Military Affairs, Municipalities and Public Utilities; and

WHEREAS, not one to limit his community involvement to the Legislature, Representative Stamps, farmer by profession, has always been active in his district and dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens, as evidenced by his service and affiliation as: founder of Legacy Group Enterprises, LLC; founder of Reviving Heroes; founder of De'Keither Stamps Enterprises; founding member of Heroes Village of Mississippi; member of the NAACP Jackson Branch, chairman of the NAACP Armed Services Committee; member of VFW Post #9832; chairman of VFW Teacher of the Year for the State of Mississippi; and a member of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, where he has fulfilled service capacities as junior deacon, lay reader, usher, Sunday School teacher, videographer, janitor and groundskeeper; and

WHEREAS, the members of the House of Representatives will cherish the bond and common goals for the betterment of this great state shared with Representative Stamps and his impeccable service within the Mississippi Legislature and to the constituents of District 66; and

WHEREAS, Representative Stamps has remained a phenomenal gentleman, grounded in his integrity, who seeks to improve the lives of others through positive example, hard work and the undeniable truths of the Word of God; and

WHEREAS, the service of Representative Stamps would be without honor but for the continued support, encouragement and love of his family, who have endured the daunting struggles that accompany the life of an elected official, and much credit is also due to his loved ones who have sacrificed countless hours without him in order to allow him to fulfill his legislative obligations, including his wife, Shonda Scott Stamps, and their three daughters, Jasmine, Kristian and Kennedi; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor the remarkable service of our colleague and friend, Representative De'Keither A. Stamps, who represented his district, this body and the people of this state with honor and intrepid dignity:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the most honorable and distinguished Gentleman from Hinds, Representative De'Keither A. Stamps, for his esteemed and laudable legislative career and public service, and express fondest respect and best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Representative De'Keither A. Stamps and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.