Senate Concurrent Resolution 535

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING MISSISSIPPI SUPREME COURT JUSTICE AND FORMER MISSISSIPPI REPRESENTATIVE RANDY (BUBBA) PIERCE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE BENCH AND TRANSITION AS DIRECTOR OF THE MISSISSIPPI JUDICIAL COLLEGE.

WHEREAS, Justice Randy Pierce will leave the Mississippi Supreme Court on February 1, 2016, to become Director of the Mississippi Judicial College. In his new role, Justice Pierce will oversee training and continuing legal education for judges and staff of the entire state court system. The Mississippi Judicial College is a division of the University of Mississippi School of Law; and

WHEREAS, Justice Pierce said, "I look forward to working with the law school and the university. It has been an honor and a blessing to serve on the Mississippi Supreme Court." He also looks forward to continuing to teach. He has been an Adjunct Professor at the Mississippi College School of Law and the University of Southern Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Chief Justice Bill Waller, Jr., said "Justice Pierce's background and experience as an Accountant, former Legislator and Chancellor have been invaluable to the court. He has great insight and understanding of the laws the court is called upon to interpret. He has been a great liaison for the court in its efforts to ensure adequate resources for the operation of the judicial branch. He has also provided outstanding leadership in efforts to improve the health, safety and well-being of children"; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Judicial College provides introductory training and continuing legal education for all members of the Judiciary: Supreme Court Justices; Court of Appeals Judges; trial court judges of the Chancery, Circuit and County Courts; Youth Court Judges and Referees; and for Justice Court and Municipal Court Judges. Court Clerks, Court Administrators and Court Reporters are required to attend periodic legal education programs provided by the Judicial College. The Judicial College also provides technical assistance to state courts, including research and drafting of proposed court rules. The Judicial College is tasked to supply information to the Legislature regarding the ongoing needs of the courts; and

WHEREAS, Justice Pierce was elected to the Mississippi Supreme Court in November 2008 and began his term on January 5, 2009. The term will expire in December 2016; and

WHEREAS, Justice Pierce previously served as a Chancellor on the 16th Chancery Court District, which is made up of George, Greene and Jackson Counties. He also served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from District 105. He was Chairman of the House Education Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Education; and

WHEREAS, Justice Pierce grew up in the Unity Community, near Leakesville, Mississippi. He attended Jones County Junior College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi. He worked as a Certified Public Accountant before earning his Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park Campus. He earned his law degree in 1997 from the University of Mississippi School of Law, and served as President of the Law School Student Body. He was admitted to the practice of law in April 1997 and entered private practice in Greene County; and

WHEREAS, Justice Pierce has served the court and the Legislature as leader and mentor. While on the bench and in the Legislature, he consistently lectured on professional standards of the practice, including ethics, integrity, civility, courtesy and adherence to the Golden Rule. Justice Pierce's service has honored both The Mississippi Bar, the Mississippi Legislature and this great state that he loves and continues to serve; and it is with great pride that we acknowledge the career and public service of this dedicated Mississippi citizen:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we recognize and congratulate Mississippi Supreme Court Justice and former Mississippi Representative Randy (Bubba) Pierce on the occasion of his retirement from the bench and transition as Director of the Mississippi Judicial College, and extend to him the best wishes of the Legislature as he assumes new judicial responsibilities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Randy (Bubba) Pierce, forwarded to The Mississippi Bar, the Mississippi Supreme Court and the Mississippi Judicial College, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.