MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Kirby, Frazier, DeBar, Parker, Michel, Butler (38th), Blackwell, England
A RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AND RECOGNIZE DISTRICT 35 STATE SENATOR CHRIS CAUGHMAN FOR HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE.
WHEREAS, District 35 State Senator Chris Caughman has announced that he will not be seeking reelection to the Mississippi Senate. He has represented Senate District 35, which includes portions of Copiah, Rankin and Simpson Counties, for eight years. In Chris Caughman, the citizens of District 35 have had effective representation from a dedicated public servant with extensive experience as a bank Vice President from Mendenhall, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, first elected to office in 2015, Senator Caughman served in the Mississippi Senate for two terms. Proud of his accomplishments in the Legislature, Chris Caughman said he has always enjoyed working in the Senate and will miss it when he finishes this year; and
WHEREAS, Senator Caughman was educated at Simpson Academy in Mendenhall, the Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Mississippi, and Belhaven University, a Christian liberal arts institution in Jackson from which he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1989. He is also a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Banking at Oxford and the LSU Graduate School of Banking. A former teacher and basketball coach, he is the Senior Vice President of People's Bank in Mendenhall; and
WHEREAS, Chris has served his community on many boards and leadership organizations over the last 20 years. He has served as President of the Magee Lions Club, President of the Simpson County Academy School Board, President of the Mendenhall Chamber of Commerce, and also President of the Simpson County Economic Foundation Board. Chris has also served on the Magee Chamber of Commerce Board, the Simpson County YMCA Board, and the Simpson County Ducks Unlimited Committee. He still serves on the Simpson County Youth Leadership Executive Committee and the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Foundation Board; and
WHEREAS, Senator Caughman has stated that our state is headed in the right direction. We have conservative leaders in important positions of state government and they have done an outstanding job of balancing our state budget and putting away dollars in a rainy day fund. His four conservative principles are: smaller and less intrusive government; less regulation in the private sector; lower or stable taxes; and individual freedom and responsibility; and
WHEREAS, Senator Caughman is married to Melissa Hilton and they have three children: Cade, Abby and Bryce; and
WHEREAS, at the beginning of the 2023 Regular Session, Chris Caughman served on the following committees: Business and Financial Institutions, Chair; Environmental Protection, Conversation and Water Resources, Vice-Chair; Agriculture; County Affairs; Finance; Forestry; Public Health and Welfare; Universities and Colleges; and Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; and
WHEREAS, Senator Caughman's service has been marked by his commitment to success and recognized leadership, sound judgment, civility, courtesy and fairness. He has set the highest standard in all of his many roles: husband, father, banker, statesman, community leader, leader in the Mississippi Senate, and as a true friend. Chris' service honored both the Mississippi Senate and this great state that he loves and serves:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and recognize District 35 State Senator Chris Caughman for his distinguished service in the Mississippi Senate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Senator Chris Caughman and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.