Bill Text: MS HR143 | 2026 | Regular Session | Engrossed

Mississippi House Resolution 143

Bill Title: Archie Tucker; commend upon retirement from the United States Dept. of Agriculture after 51 years of public service.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)

Status: (Passed) 2026-03-26 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR143 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2026-HR143-Engrossed.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Hines, Bailey (49th)

House Resolution 143

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MR. ARCHIE TUCKER UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE AFTER 51 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE.

WHEREAS, Mr. Archie Tucker, the first African American in the history of the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service to hold the positions of Area Administrative Officer and Deputy Area Director, is being honored and celebrated upon the special occasion of his retirement after 51 years of public service; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Tucker, a native of Leland, Mississippi, began his illustrious career with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as an inquisitive 16-year-old high school student who worked as a part-time biological aide in the Southern Insect Management Research Unit at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Stoneville, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Leland High School, Mr. Tucker earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) and then flourished over the next 51 years making contributions at ARS in Stoneville, where he climbed the ranks to serve in the following positions: Biological Laboratory Technician, Area Property Management Officer, Assistant Area Director, Deputy Area Director, Area Administrative Officer, Associate Area Director and Area Director; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his bachelor of science degree from MVSU, Mr. Tucker completed extensive management training at the American Management Association, the USDA Graduate School and the Key Executive Leadership Training Program at American University in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, as the Area Director of ARS, Mr. Tucker effectively managed and provided leadership and operational accountability for the following areas: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands - all which included 27 research locations, 60 research units, approximately 1,542 employees, of which 582 were PhD scientists, and he managed an annual budget of $350 million dollars; and

WHEREAS, known for his people skills and programmatic knowledge, Mr. Tucker has received a plethora of awards, some of which include: the 2024 A.L. Vandergriff Cotton Pioneer Award from the Southern Cotton Ginners Association; the 2022 Presidential Rank Award, which is the highest award a federal civilian employee can receive; 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award as well as the Dr. James Herbert White Preeminence Award for Achievement in Excellence from his beloved alma mater, MVSU; and the Bethune-Carver-Dewey Education Legacy Award from the Southeastern Society of Minorities in Engineering; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Tucker also received the following honors: the 2014 ARS Administrative and Program Management Award for Leadership; 2014 Federal Laboratory Consortium for Outstanding Accomplishments in STEM Education Support Award; the 2015 Abraham Lincoln Award for exceptional achievement and outstanding contributions to American agriculture; the 2017 Leland Chamber of Commerce Achievement Award and the 2019 Delta Council Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to aquaculture; and

WHEREAS, notably, although Mr. Tucker has worn many hats over the years at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service, during the 1999-2000 school year, he was selected by the State Board of Education as the Parent of the Year for the State of Mississippi, which is a wonderful testament of his ability to balance career and family; and

WHEREAS, additionally, Mr. Tucker, whose impressive ability to treat everyone the same and give them the same level of attention and respect - no matter if an individual was a janitor at one of his facilities or the Secretary of Agriculture - truly served as one of his many hallmarks that penetrated his successful career and caused him to garner undeniable respect from all who were blessed to work with him; and

WHEREAS, throughout his endeavors, Mr. Tucker has been lovingly supported by his beautiful wife of 44 years, Beryl Amos Tucker; their children, Dr. Archie Tucker II, who is married to Veronica, and Ashley Patterson, who is married to Ken, as well as his precious grandchildren, Jordan and Austin Tucker and Alana and Morgan Patterson; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor a great Mississippian such as Mr. Archie Tucker who is a well-respected legend among USDA employees - not only in Stoneville but across the United States - who has faithfully served as a mentor and provided invaluable advice and leadership in his venerable roles within the USDA's Agricultural Research Service:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mr. Archie Tucker upon the special occasion of his retirement from the United States Department of Agriculture after 51 years of public service, and wish him continued success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Archie Tucker and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.