Bill Text: MS SC505 | 2014 | Regular Session | Enrolled


Bill Title: Pay tribute to the memory of former Mississippi Representative John Hampton Stennis.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2014-02-11 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC505 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2014-SC505-Enrolled.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2014 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Gollott, Blount, Browning, Burton, Butler (38th), Carmichael, Frazier, Gandy, Jackson (15th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jolly, Kirby, Lee, Montgomery, Simmons (12th), Wilemon

Senate Concurrent Resolution 505

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE MEMORY OF FORMER MISSISSIPPI REPRESENTATIVE JOHN HAMPTON STENNIS.

     WHEREAS, John Hampton Stennis, a lawyer and former state legislator who was the only son of the late U.S. Senator John C. Stennis, died September 5, 2013.  He was 78; and

     WHEREAS, John Hampton Stennis was born on March 2, 1935.  He graduated from Princeton University (A.B., 1957) and the University of Virginia School of Law (J.D., 1960).  He was Decisions Editor of the Virginia Law Review.  Stennis was a partner with the Mississippi law firm of Watkins, Ludlam, Winter & Stennis, P.A., since 1960 and focused his law practice in legislative relations, public finance, environmental matters and governmental law; and

     WHEREAS, while a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1969 to 1984, Stennis was Chair of the Banking Committee, Chair of the Judiciary Committee, and a member of the Ways and Means and Water Resources Committees; and

     WHEREAS, Stennis was an active Director of the Commercial Bank, served as a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers, and a Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation.  He also served as a Trustee of Rhodes College, as a Director of the Mississippi Water Resources Association, the Mississippi Humanities Council, the Mississippi Research and Development Council, the Mississippi Judicial Council, the Jackson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, the Mississippi Heart Association and the State Capital Law Firm Group, Inc., and as an advisory member of the Mississippi Legislature's Environmental Protection Council; and

     WHEREAS, Stennis served in the Mississippi Air National Guard for more than 30 years, retiring in federally recognized general officer grade, and as Commodore of the Jackson Yacht Club; and

     WHEREAS, John Hampton Stennis was as bright as anyone who has served in the Legislature.  He guided complex bills through the process with ease and was virtually unbeatable in a debate.  He had a near-photographic memory and an ability to explain almost anything in terms a layperson could understand.  He was the first Chairman to report legislation to require lobbyists to disclose money they spent at the Capitol; and

     WHEREAS, in 1978, the position of Congressman from Mississippi's 4th District opened up.  The incumbent, Thad Cochran, qualified to run for the Senate seat, after Jim Eastland announced his retirement.  Fourteen candidates qualified for the opportunity to succeed Cochran.  John Hampton became the Democratic nominee but came up short in the November general election, losing to Republican challenger Jon Hinson; and

     WHEREAS, former Governor William Winter, who practiced law with Mr. Stennis, stated "John Hampton Stennis should be remembered as a brilliant lawyer and one of the finest legal minds I have been associated with"; and

     WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Allred Stennis.  Survivors include a son, Hampton Stennis of Washington, D.C., and a daughter, Laurin Stennis of Jackson; and sister, Margaret Womble of DeKalb, Mississippi; and we commend his record of achievement and legacy of leadership and dedication, and cherish fondly the memory of this most public spirited citizen 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 pay tribute to the memory of former Mississippi Representative John Hampton Stennis of Jackson, Mississippi, and extend our sympathy to his surviving family and the thanks of a grateful state for his service.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of John Hampton Stennis and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.

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