MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Simmons (12th), Blount, Branning, Frazier, Hopson, Michel, Norwood, Thompson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MISSISSIPPI SUPREME COURT PRESIDING JUSTICE AND FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LESLIE D. KING UPON HIS RECEIPT OF THE PRESTIGIOUS "60 COURAGEOUS JUDGES AWARD" BY THE NATIONAL JUDICIAL COLLEGE.
WHEREAS, we join the National Judicial College in recognizing Mississippi's longest-serving Appellate Judge and former member of the Mississippi House of Representatives Leslie King for his record of service to the legal profession and our system of justice; and
WHEREAS, the National Judicial College (NJC) has named Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice Leslie D. King as one of its 60 Courageous Judges. This announcement was part of the NJC's 60th Anniversary Celebration on December 7. The NJC, located in Reno, Nevada, is the oldest judges' education program in the U.S. It honored 60 judges from the U.S. and other countries for their courage in upholding justice; and
WHEREAS, Justice King expressed his gratitude for the recognition. He recalled his oath from January 1995 when he became a judge. He stressed his commitment to impartial and equal justice, in line with the U.S. Constitution and Mississippi laws. He stated this his goal as a judge is to honor his oath; and
WHEREAS, Justice King has a notable judicial career. He is currently the longest-serving Appellate Judge in Mississippi, with 29 years of service in the Mississippi Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. He was an original member of the Court of Appeals, which started hearing cases in January 1995. He was the first African-American chief judge of the Court of Appeals, a role he held for nearly seven years before joining the Supreme Court in 2011; and
WHEREAS, before his judicial career, Justice King served in the Mississippi House of Representatives for 15 years, from 1980 to 1994. He held leadership roles, including vice-chairman of two committees. He was also the chairman of the Mississippi Black Legislative Caucus in 1988. His early legal career included roles as Youth Court Counselor, Public Defender and Municipal Court Judge. Justice King, who was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1973, has practiced law for over 50 years; and
WHEREAS, the NJC is the largest and most attended judges' school in the country, educating judges from all 50 states. The honorees were chosen from nominations by NJC alumni and staff. Justice King was the only judge from Mississippi selected. The list of 60 Courageous Judges included notable judiciary figures like the late Judge Constance Baker; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend an individual who has devoted himself to serving the public, the legal profession, and the administration of justice over the span of his professional career, contributing significantly to our system of justice and to the legal profession and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice and Former Representative Leslie D. King upon his receipt of the prestigious "60 Courageous Judges Award" by the National Judicial College and extend to Justice King and his family our best wishes and thanks:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Justice Leslie D. King, forwarded to the Mississippi Supreme Court and the National Judicial College and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.