Bill Text: MS SC506 | 2013 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Mourn the loss and commend public service of former Mississippi Senator Rick Lambert.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 31-19)
Status: (Passed) 2013-01-17 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC506 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-SC506-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Tindell, Blount, Brown, Browning, Bryan, Burton, Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Collins, Dawkins, Doty, Fillingane, Frazier, Gandy, Gollott, Hale, Harkins, Hill, Hopson, Horhn, Hudson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jolly, Jones, Jordan, Kirby, Lee, Longwitz, Massey, McDaniel, Montgomery, Moran, Parker, Parks, Polk, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Smith, Sojourner, Stone, Tollison, Ward, Watson, Wiggins, Wilemon
Senate Concurrent Resolution 506
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER MISSISSIPPI SENATOR PAUL RICHARD "RICK" LAMBERT OF HATTIESBURG AND GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, Paul Richard "Rick" Lambert, a longtime Hattiesburg lawmaker and attorney, passed away July 23, 2012, at the age of 60; and
WHEREAS, Senator Lambert, a Southern Mississippi University graduate, represented Hattiesburg as a Democrat in the State Senate District 45 from 1980-1992. He was Hattiesburg's City Attorney from 1985-1992. Mr. Lambert also served as Legal Counsel to the University of Southern Mississippi President's Office from 2004 to June 2012. Senator Lambert served as Chairman of the Senate Finance, Judiciary and Municipalities Committees. He also served on the Senate Public Utilities Committee his entire tenure in the Senate and served as Vice Chairman for four years. In addition to Atmos Energy Corporation, Mr. Lambert was General Counsel to the Mississippi Rural Independent Telephone Companies and Legal Counsel to the President of The University of Southern Mississippi. In June 2012, Mr. Lambert was appointed by Governor Phil Bryant to the Judicial Appointment Advisory Committee to represent the Second Supreme Court District; and
WHEREAS, as State Senator Mr. Lambert replaced Carroll Ingram, who represented Hattiesburg from 1972-1980. Senator Ingram said, "Lambert was an able successor, proving himself a strong advocate in Jackson for Southern Miss and public education in general. He was an effective State Senator and public official"; and
WHEREAS, our former colleague was driven and focused as an attorney, and was also very personable, with an ability to convince opposing sides to reach common ground. Lambert's family members said his greatest legacy was his commitment to family, particularly his devotion to his three daughters: Elizabeth, Erin and Emily. He was an amazing leader for his community and his state. More importantly, he was a leader of his family. He taught his daughters to be self-sufficient, independent and confident in every decision that they made; and
WHEREAS, Senator Lambert served as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and prior to a special election served as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee where in 1992 he authored Senate Bill No. 3120, a very significant measure which dedicated a one-cent sales tax increase for the Education Enhancement Fund; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Lambert was a faithful member of Broad Street United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, where he was a Sunday school teacher and lay leader. He was a charter member of Heritage United Methodist Church. Since residing in Gulfport, he has been a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport; and
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his father, Buford Gibson Lambert of Hattiesburg, and his stepson, Wesley Symmes McCabe of Gulfport. He is survived by his wife, Candice Symmes Lambert; three daughters, Elizabeth Lambert Garner, Emily Lambert Harden (Ted), and Erin Lambert Dornan (Patrick); two stepchildren, Brandy McCabe Hyde (Eric) and Tim McCabe; five grandchildren, Emily Garner, Laney Harden, Wesley Hyde, Elsie Hyde, and Jeffrey Hyde; his mother, Virgia Colville Lambert of Hattiesburg; two brothers, LeWayne Lambert of Huntsville, Alabama, and Terry Lambert of Hattiesburg; one sister, Glenda Lambert MacMullin of Arlington, Virginia; nine nieces and nephews; and many close friends he considered family; and
WHEREAS, at his death and for many years preceding, Mr. Lambert resided in Gulfport, Mississippi, yet still maintained his law practice in Hattiesburg. Rick was one of the most admired and respected members of the Mississippi State Senate. He had the presence of a gentleman and was soft-spoken. He excelled in a variety of major responsibilities and served the Senate, his constituents and the State of Mississippi exceptionally well. Rick's public service was exemplified by fairness and sound judgment, and he set the highest standard as a leader in the Mississippi Senate and as a friend:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the public service of former Senator Paul Richard "Rick" Lambert of Hattiesburg and Gulfport, Mississippi, and express to his surviving family our sympathy on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Senator Lambert and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
