Bill Text: MS HR118 | 2013 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Mrs. Patsy Speights; commend exceptional career and congratulate upon her retirement from The Prentiss Headlight.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-03-27 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR118 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-HR118-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Warren
House Resolution 118
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE REMARKABLE SERVICE AND EXCEPTIONALLY DISTINGUISHED CAREER OF MRS. PATSY SPEIGHTS, AND CONGRATULATING HER UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM THE PRENTISS HEADLIGHT AFTER MORE THAN 25 YEARS.
WHEREAS, 2012 marked the conclusion of an iconic era of editorial and published media service rendered to the citizens of Prentiss, Mississippi, and surrounding communities upon the retirement of Mrs. Patsy Speights after a 25-year plus career with The Prentiss Headlight; and
WHEREAS, upon her initial hiring, Mrs. Speights was unfamiliar with the processes of putting out a community newspaper, as her experience centered around radio advertising sales, but she had experience helping produce a free-distribution advertising publication, and in no time she mastered everything, putting pages to bed by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday all ready for Wednesday morning printing, and implementing an unorthodox, yet effective approach to corralling the submission deadlines for advertising customers and those wishing to submit stories for publication; and
WHEREAS, in her capacity as editor, Mrs. Speights did what good editors do, she put out a strong and fair community newspaper, occasionally stepping on some toes, rocking a few politicians and shaking the doors at the courthouse, the school house and city hall, and was greatly respected by readers for her frankness and honesty; and
WHEREAS, on the state level, she too made her mark, having served on various Mississippi Press Association (MPA) committees over the course of the years, which positioned her to serve on the MPA/MPS board and leadership ladder, and subsequently as President of MPA, a capacity in which her diligence allowed her to be elected the state chair of the National Newspaper Association (NNA), offices which helped her pioneer the way for the five-state meeting, consisting of publishers and editors from Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, her tenacity with the United States Postal Service won her accolades with the NNA, as she twice appeared before the Postal Rate Commission in Washington to argue the case for community newspapers, to make certain that newspapers received fair treatment, and in 2007, the NNA awarded her its highest honor - the Emma C. McKinney Award, an honor Patsy shared with only one other Mississippi resident, Brooks Taylor; and
WHEREAS, Sid Salter pinned it best in a column he wrote about her retirement, "Patsy is best known as the gravel-voiced, tough lady with the shock of white hair and the laughing eyes that charmed even those politicians whose toes she smashed in the newspaper when it was necessary."; and
WHEREAS, predicted by former high school classmates that she would one day be editor of The Prentiss Headlight, no better prediction could have come to fruition, as Mrs. Speights has carried the mantle of exceptional news reporting as indicated by her induction into the Mississippi Press Association Hall of Fame during its 146th annual summer convention; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the fulfillment of her duties to The Prentiss Headlight over the course of the past 25 years, the 1963 Prentiss High School graduate and licensed cosmetologist who attended Ole Miss, found time to devote to the teaching of handbell choir and playing piano for Hudspeth Baptist Church, where she is a lifetime member; and
WHEREAS, the commitment Mrs. Speights has evidenced to publishing the best newspaper comparable to none other, has been highlighted by the same level of commitment as is shown by her family to her, including: husband, Larry Speights; children, Dana Walker, Dawn Greenlee and Dr. Dannell Roberts; five grandchildren; and three sisters; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge and commend such exemplary an individual as Mrs. Speights whose distinguished career has afforded her the opportunity to mingle with Governors, state Legislators, Congressmen and Senators as she has traversed the hallowed halls of the Mississippi State Capitol as well as those of the Nation's Capitol Building, providing a hometown perspective on breaking news throughout the state, region and nation:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the remarkable service and exceptionally distinguished career of Mrs. Patsy Speights, congratulate her upon the occasion of her retirement from The Prentiss Headlight after more than 25 years and extend best wishes for continued success and happiness as she enjoys the lighter years of her life.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Speights, The Prentiss Headlight and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
