House Resolution 98

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ESTEEMED CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE THAT MRS. JO ANN HUGHES RENDERED TO THE CITIZENS OF MISSISSIPPI AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE ASSISTANT FOR THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND CONGRATULATING HER UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, after 24 years of dedicated and zealous service to the Mississippi House of Representatives and the entire constituency of the 122 elected members which comprise the House's body, Mrs. Jo Ann Hughes will retire from public service as an administrative committee assistant at the conclusion of this legislative term, where she has become a synonymous fixture associated with the bustling legislative committee activity on the East Wing of the Mississippi State Capitol's first floor, after having first begun her prestigious career as a committee assistant on August 1, 1995; and

WHEREAS, a Scott County native, where she continues to reside in the Morton community, and born to Mr. Jeff and Mrs. Jeanette Bates, Jo Ann and her siblings, BJ, Donna and Sandy, were instilled with the core principles that hard work and living a life of respect and integrity, grounded in faith and a superior educational foundation were the formula for a successful life; and

WHEREAS, equipped with the essential life tools imparted by her parents, Jo Ann, after graduating from Morton Attendance Center, furthered her collegiate matriculation at the Jackson Commercial College, which prepared her for a successful career in the insurance industry for some 25 years, and which, in tandem with her charismatic personality, welcoming disposition and social interaction with countless individuals, was the foundation necessary for her segue into public service at the House of Representatives; and

WHEREAS, since her arrival at the Mississippi State Capitol in 1995, Jo Ann initially served the House as an administrative committee assistant to the following House Committees and chairmen: Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency, Chairman Jerry Turner; Constitution, Chairmen Tommy Horne, Johnny Stringer, Charlie Capps, Jim Evans, Scott DeLano and Brent Powell; Ethics, Chairmen Robert Vince, Eloise Scott, Alyce G. Clarke, Joe Gardner, Percy Watson, Andy Gipson and Mac Huddleston; Marine Resources, Chairmen Herb Frierson, Frances Fredericks, Casey Eure and Timmy Ladner; Public Property (formerly Public Buildings, Grounds and Land), Chairmen Terry Brown, Diane Peranich, Mary Coleman and Tom Weathersby; Public Utilities, Chairmen Tyrone Ellis and Jim Beckett; Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (formerly Game and Fish), Chairmen Dick Livingston, Clem Nettles, Eric Robinson, Bo Eaton and Scott Bounds; and

WHEREAS, a stellar employee and a proven invaluable asset to the House's systems of operation and functionality, Jo Ann's exceptional performance in her administrative committee assistant capacity garnered her much admiration and respect of her chairmen, fellow colleagues, as well as the House Leadership, and her consistency in performance has never waivered from the date of her initial hire until her decision to conclude her prestigious legislative career; and

WHEREAS, Jo Ann has witnessed the evolution of state history unfold in the shape of policy formulated by legislators, future governors, other statewide elected officials, congressmen and those who have transitioned from legislative careers to municipal leadership, judiciary membership, statewide executive offices and national appointments; and

WHEREAS, not to have a life with complete dimension and total fulfillment, Jo Ann discovered an ever abounding love when she met her soul mate, Charles Noel Hughes, a fellow public servant, who served as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Community Services with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP), and solidified that bond when they exchanged nuptials in what would become the most enlightening years of her life, in a storybook romance that further expounded upon the tenets of love, generosity and selflessness shared between the two not only as spouses, but also as friends and professional colleagues, being that Jo Ann staffed the House committee assigned to the legislative affairs of the MDWFP, until it was orchestrated by God's divine providence for our lives to summon the mortal and spiritual presence of Noel from earthly labor to heavenly reward on January 1, 2016; and

WHEREAS, much to the credit of Jo Ann's indomitable spirit, the adversity of death's stinging loss could not impede her ability to remain resilient in the performance of fulfilling her duties and responsibilities to the House of Representatives and being ever the more diligent in spending irreplaceable quality time with her daughter, Tammy, her grandchildren and her great-grandchild; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge outstanding Mississippians such as Jo Ann Hughes, one we are proud to call our own, whose daily presence in the Capitol will be sorely missed, but whose legacy of selflessness, fairness, hard work, professionalism and overall commitment to improving the individual lives of others and her community and state, has made an indelible mark on the Mississippi Legislature and all those who have been privileged to know and work with her:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the esteemed career and public service that Jo Ann Hughes rendered to the citizens of Mississippi as an administrative committee assistant for the House of Representatives, congratulate her upon the occasion of her retirement from public service and extend warmest wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Jo Ann Hughes and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.