Bill Text: MS SC543 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commend life and legacy of public service of Mr. Charles Noel Hughes.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 8-3)
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-14 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC543 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-SC543-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Gollott, Seymour, DeBar, Moran, Tindell, Barnett, Clarke, Jackson (32nd), Kirby, Stone, Watson
Senate Concurrent Resolution 543
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF MR. CHARLES NOEL HUGHES, RESPECTED EMPLOYEE OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, the Legislature and the State of Mississippi lost a friend, colleague, gentleman and dedicated public servant with the passing of Mr. Hughes, "Noel" as he was affectionately called, of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP); and
WHEREAS, a native of McComb, Mississippi, and resident of Morton, Mississippi, Noel graduated from McComb High School and furthered his postsecondary educational matriculation at Delta State University and the University of Southern Mississippi, and upon completion of his baccalaureate studies immediately went to work in the professional sector before being retained as a Consultant by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks in October of 2000 to assist the state park system in the operation of its golf courses; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hughes served in a consultant capacity with the MDWFP, inducing the department's administration to hire him as a state employee, and resulted with his promotion to Director of State Park Operations. Mr. Hughes later served as interim Director of State Parks, while continuing to advance in the ranks of leadership within the department, eventually becoming the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Community Services in 2007, the capacity in which he served until his life's expiration; and
WHEREAS, in his capacity as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Community Services, Noel became a fixture at the Capitol during the annual Regular Sessions of the Mississippi Legislature. His continual presence in the Capitol's corridors gained the attention of Jo Ann Bates, an Administrative Assistant to the House of Representatives, and the duo were married, forging a storybook relationship as spouses, friends and professional colleagues, since Jo Ann staffed the House committee assigned to the legislative affairs of the MDWFP; and
WHEREAS, Noel was a most respected public servant with a quiet, confident presence and always eager to assist a member of this most auspicious body with requests for information about natural resources, state parks or other matters, and would often personally address constituent issues for members; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hughes excelled in presenting the needs of the department to the members, and forged many strong friendships in both the House and Senate irrespective of party affiliation as he represented the department, his colleagues and the State of Mississippi in exceptional fashion in the performance of all of his duties; and
WHEREAS, Noel's public service was exemplified by fairness and sound counsel, as he set the highest standard as a friend of the Legislature and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi:
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 life and legacy of the public service of Charles Noel Hughes, express the deepest sympathy of the Mississippi Legislature to his family and friends upon his passing, and convey our immeasurable gratitude for sharing Noel with us and with the State of Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the family of Mr. Hughes, forwarded to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
