Bill Text: MS HR95 | 2015 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Representative Bennett Malone; commend dedicated legislative career upon his retirement.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2015-04-02 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR95 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2015-HR95-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Miles, Busby, Rushing
House Resolution 95
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING REPRESENTATIVE BENNETT MALONE FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND WISHING HIM WELL UPON HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, the distinguished gentleman from Carthage, Mississippi, Representative Bennett Malone, an honored and cherished member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, completed 36 years of consecutive service as a member of the House of Representatives from District 45, formerly District 47, which includes portions of Leake, Neshoba, Rankin and Scott Counties; and
WHEREAS, Representative Malone was born on January 6, 1944, and grew up in Carthage, Mississippi, attended Carthage High School and East Central Junior College before venturing into the business arena as an astute auto salesman and decisive dealer for Massey Ferguson Tractor, in addition to his venerable experience as a cattle farmer and exceptional entrepreneur as an emergency medical technician, the operator of an ambulance service, having been named as one of Mississippi's Outstanding Young Businessmen in 1974-1975; and
WHEREAS, he began his service as a legislator when he was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in the 1979 statewide general election, taking the oath of office at the commencement of the 1980 Regular Session of the Mississippi Legislature, and gaining stature as a statesman by rising from freshman lawmaker to Chairman of the Investigation of State Offices Committee in 1992, to his tapping in 1996 to chair the House Penitentiary (now Corrections) Committee, which he zealously led with much deference and bipartisan participation for sixteen years until 2012; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure in the House, Chairman Malone has become a guiding force assuming a leading role in virtually every meaningful economic development, educational and agricultural program and reform of the state's correctional system; and
WHEREAS, over the course of his three and one-half decades of diligence and devotion as a people's champion, Representative Malone's committee assignments have included: Agriculture; Appropriations; County Affairs; Education; Fees and Salaries of Public Officers; Forestry; Gaming; Investigation of State Offices; Penitentiary (Corrections); Public Buildings, Grounds and Lands (now Public Property); Public Utilities; Transportation; Ways and Means; and Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; and
WHEREAS, Representative Malone's love and deeply felt respect for the Legislature as an institution has led him to fight to preserve and nurture its integrity, becoming a guardian of this democratic institution during a time in Mississippi's history when the diversity of the House membership expanded to include meaningful participation by women, African Americans and Republicans and Democrats alike, who share the lion's share of the stake of advancing the direction of the state's economic, educational and political climate; and
WHEREAS, demonstrating that he is one of the rare leaders who is able to lead effectively while promoting and protecting the strength of the Legislature, Representative Malone is known to go to bat for the diplomacy through his zealous advocacy and impassioned commitment to his electoral constituency as a hard-charging lawmaker, whose willing to play hardball to get his point across and the job done; and
WHEREAS, apart from his proprietary career as a cattle farmer, ambulance operator and public servant, Representative Malone is a faithful member of the Baptist Church, as well as affiliations with the Leake Cattlemen's Association as its past president, a Mason and the Mississippi Cattlemen's Association; and
WHEREAS, a true statesman vetted by the authenticities of the legislative process, Representative Malone, who holds sacred the bonds of family, endured every triumphant, historic, laughable and daunting moment, and has persevered with resilience through personal health impediments with the love, support and encouragement of his family: devoted wife, Teresa Dolan Malone; son, Ricky Bennett; daughters, Gina Marie, Brittany Nichole and Krystal Yvonne; and
WHEREAS, Representative Malone has indicated that he will retire at the expiration of his present term and the members of the House of Representatives wish to express sincere appreciation to the iconic chairman for his dedicated service to the people of the State of Mississippi and for the personal sacrifices he has made on their behalf:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend our friend, colleague and leader, Representative Bennett Malone, for all he has meant to the Mississippi House of Representatives and for his unmatched contributions to the people of the State of Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Representative Bennett Malone and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
