Bill Text: MS HR4 | 2023 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Jim Waide; commend career and community contributions of.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-01-12 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR4 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2023-HR4-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Thompson
House Resolution 4
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND MERITORIOUS LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE OF MR. JIM WAIDE.
WHEREAS, Jim Waide, a native of Clay County, Mississippi, has devoted his life to serving and improving the City of Tupelo and State of Mississippi through his professional contributions as well as his incredible community philanthropy; and
WHEREAS, the founder and a current shareholder of Waide & Associates, P.A., Mr. Waide is a graduate of West Point High School and Millsaps College, and upon his graduation, he enlisted with an elite fraternity of men and women in the United States Marine Corps, where he courageously served for three years, including one year as a forward observer in Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, for his valiant and heroic efforts, Mr. Waide was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in combat, one of the most prestigious awards a fearless combatant can receive; and
WHEREAS, after he was discharged from the Marines as a Captain, Mr. Waide graduated from Tulane Law School, and during his tenure, he earned the American Jurisprudence Award in Corporations; and
WHEREAS, after graduation, Mr. Waide worked for one year as a law clerk to United States Court of Appeals Judge J.P. Coleman, and shortly thereafter, he formed his own law firm, practicing first in Weir and West Point, Mississippi, before moving the firm to Tupelo in the mid-1980s; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Waide's law practice emphasizes employment discrimination and civil rights cases, and he is licensed to practice law in all state and federal courts in Mississippi, as well as the western district of Tennessee, and he is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Federal Claims, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit; and
WHEREAS, six of Mr. Waide's cases have been accepted by the United States Supreme Court, and he has never lost a case before that Court, and considers the most significant of those cases to be Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Products, Inc., which limited the authority of federal judges to overturn jury verdicts and Wyatt v. Cole, which abolished immunity provided to parties in cases brought under 42 USC Section 1983; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Waide's efforts to change laws unfair to employees resulted in a well-known decision, McArn v. Allied-Bruce Terminix, Inc., which established a public policy exception to the employment-at-will doctrine; and
WHEREAS, according to the Mississippi Jury Verdict Reporter, Mr. Waide has tried more jury trials than any other Mississippi lawyer for each of the past five years, a truly impressive feat; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Waide is involved in a number of professional organizations, including the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Lee County Bar Association, the Mississippi Bar Association, the Fifth Circuit Bar Association and the American Bar Association; and
WHEREAS, because Mr. Waide is truly dedicated to bettering his community and helping those around him, he is also a member of Mission Mississippi, a volunteer for the Salvation Army, a Tupelo-Lee Humane Society foster parent, and he attends First United Methodist Church in Tupelo; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Waide was the recipient of the NAACP Legal Award in 2006, was the recipient of the Unifest Humanitarian Award in 2007, received the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Unsung Heroes Award in 2008, received the Committee for King Community Service Award in 2012, was named to the Top 10 in the Mississippi Business Journal's Leadership in Law in 2010, and received The Mississippi Bar Association's Lawyer Citizen Award in 2014, and is listed in "Best Lawyers in America"; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Waide is married to the lovely Rachel Pierce Waide, who is also a shareholder in the firm and who has been a pillar of support to him throughout their marriage; and
WHEREAS, a man of incredible stature and character, Mr. Waide has tremendously advanced the City of Tupelo and the wonderful State of Mississippi through his professional and community contributions; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the magnificent contributions and unparalleled community service that exceptional Mississippians such as Mr. Jim Waide provide to the citizens of this great Magnolia State:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the distinguished career and meritorious leadership and service of Mr. Jim Waide and extend to him most sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Jim Waide and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
