House Resolution 204

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE MOST HONORABLE AND DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM PONTOTOC, DR. MAC HUDDLESTON, FOR HIS ESTEEMED LEGISLATIVE CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WHEREAS, the honorable and distinguished Gentleman from Pontotoc, Dr. Mac Huddleston, has announced his plans for retirement from the Mississippi House of Representatives at the conclusion of his current term, after fervently working on behalf of the citizens of Mississippi and House District 15, marking a triumphant end to 16 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 in 2008, Dr. Huddleston graduated with his bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University, and after applying to veterinary school at Auburn University, he soon received a letter from the United States Army, inviting him to report to Ft. Sill for active duty, and after helicopter pilot training in two or three other duty stations, his final destination was Vietnam, where he was a pilot for the duration of his tour of duty; and

WHEREAS, after valiantly serving his country, upon his discharge, Dr. Huddleston earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Auburn University in 1972, worked as a veterinarian in Pontotoc, Ecru, and Amory, and completed two stints as an instructor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University; and

WHEREAS, outside of his distinguished veterinary career, Dr. Huddleston completed the North Mississippi Law Enforcement Academy and the Certified Investigator Program (MDPS), and became a criminal investigator for Pontotoc County; and

WHEREAS, upon his election to the House of Representatives in 2007, Dr. Huddleston became the distinguished Gentleman from Pontotoc upon being sworn into office on the first day of his first legislative session in January 2008, and he 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, Dr. Huddleston's love and deeply felt respect for the Legislature as a sacred institution is inherently apparent in his welcoming and authentically pleasant and genuine disposition, which has served as a beacon of hope in pursuits to preserve and nurture the integrity of the body for all legislators who equally hold a lion's share in the stake of advancing the direction of the state's economic, educational and political climate; and

WHEREAS, with an innate leadership ability and exceptional character, Dr. Huddleston served as Chairman of the Universities and Colleges Committee from 2020 until 2024, Chairman of the Ethics Committee from 2020 until 2024, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee from 2012 until 2020, and Vice Chairman of the Enrolled Bills Committee from 2008 until 2012, and he also served as a member of the Agriculture, Apportionment and Elections, Congressional Redistricting, Legislative Reapportionment, Public Health and Human Services, Education, Military Affairs, Rules, and Performance Based Budgeting Committees; and

WHEREAS, not one to limit his community involvement to the Legislature, Dr. Huddleston 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 a member of the Pontotoc Chamber of Commerce, Farm Bureau, Pontotoc Band Boosters, and Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, and he also served the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association as a representative and as president, and was a member of the Mississippi Board of Veterinary Medicine, where he served as both a member and later as president, and at one time, he was the executive secretary of both boards, a position no longer attainable simultaneously; and

WHEREAS, outstandingly, in appreciation of his wonderful service to the profession of veterinary medicine, Dr. Huddleston was honored as a recipient of the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association; and

WHEREAS, the service of Dr. Huddleston 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; 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 Dr. Huddleston over the course of the past 16 years, and his impeccable, superb service to the Mississippi Legislature, and to the constituents of District 15, is surely unparalleled, and exemplifies the true meaning of public service, which is to serve the needs of the people; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Huddleston has remained a phenomenal gentleman, grounded in his integrity, and highly regarded for his understanding of the ultimate purpose of legislation, and throughout his admirable tenure, he has continually sought to improve the lives of others through positive example, hard work and the undeniable truths of the Word of God; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor the extraordinary service of our colleague and friend, Dr. Mac Huddleston, who represented his district, this body and the people of this state with honor and dignity, leaving a lasting legacy that will certainly be remembered for years to come:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the most honorable, distinguished Gentleman from Pontotoc, Dr. Mac Huddleston, for his esteemed 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 Dr. Mac Huddleston and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.