Bill Text: MS HC74 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Bert Case; commend life, legacy and distinguished career upon his passing.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2016-03-15 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC74 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-HC74-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Denny, Young, Bell (65th), Sykes
House Concurrent Resolution 74
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MR. BERT CASE AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, Mr. Bert Case has made life's final transition to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the Jackson community lost a wonderful friend and great newsman on January 28, 2016, with the passing of Mr. Bert Case, who was born on January 30, 1939, to the late J.W. Case and Eva Fulmer Case, in Jackson; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Murrah High School in 1957, Mr. Case began his journey in broadcasting at the campus radio station at the University of Mississippi, and after serving as an United States Air Force Information Officer at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, he returned to Mississippi in 1965 and worked as a news director and anchor for WJTV-Channel 12 before moving on to WAPT and in May 1974 to WLBT, where he worked for four decades; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his distinction of having worked at all three Jackson stations, he also had the most distinctive voice and sendoff, with his closing signature so recognized that many Mississippians greeted him with the phrase; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Case had a knack for finding the right balance of edge, seriousness and humor when telling a story, and this trait allowed him to cover serious stories involving public interest in a way that captivated his viewers and made them care about the subject matter; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Case covered every major story in Mississippi either as a news director, reporter or producer for 50 years, with some of his most well known stories including his coverage of Hurricanes Camille and Katrina and former Governor Kirk Fordice; and
WHEREAS, while everyone will have their own "Berrrrt Case" story that they will remember, one story that will certainly stick out in everyone's mind is the time that Mr. Case had to fight off a pit bull, and even though he thought he had done everything wrong, he later found out that people use that video to teach people the right thing to do if a dog charges you; and
WHEREAS, due to his ability to tell the news in a fair and inspiring way, Mr. Case was awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal by then Governor Haley Barbour in 2004, which is the highest award given to a civilian by the State of Mississippi, and was also inducted into the Mississippi Associated Press Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in the same year; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Mr. Case was awarded many other honors, including the 2001-2002 Silver M for Journalism from the University of Mississippi, the 2006 Associated Press Broadcasters Association Howard Lett Newsperson of the Year and the 2014 Jackson Police Department Meritorious Service Award; and
WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Mr. Bert Case will continue in the memories of his survivors, including: his loving wife, Mary Wieden Case; daughters, Valerie Case and Valinda Case Cochella; granddaughter, Bellina Cochella; his beloved Jack Russell terrier, Heidi; and a host of other relatives and friends; and
WHEREAS, respected and esteemed by his colleagues and fellow Mississippians, Mr. Case forever impacted the Jackson community and set the bar for excellence in the newsroom; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the life of such an inspiring and professional Jacksonian, such as Mr. Bert Case, whose memory will be cherished in the community for years to come:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mr. Bert Case and extend sincere and deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Bert Case and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
