MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Collins, Browning, Bryan, Ward, Blount, Burton, Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, 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, Norwood, Parker, Parks, Polk, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Smith, Sojourner, Stone, Tindell, Tollison, Turner, Watson, Wiggins, Wilemon, Younger
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF CONGRESSMAN AND FORMER STATE SENATOR PATRICK ALAN NUNNELEE FROM TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, the Legislature and the State of Mississippi lost a wonderful friend, colleague, gentleman, Capitol icon and enlightened lawmaker with the death of CONGRESSMAN AND FORMER MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATOR PATRICK ALAN NUNNELEE (56), on Friday, February 6, 2015. Phil Bryant, by the authority vested in the Governor by the Constitution and laws of the State of Mississippi, proclaimed a period of official mourning in the State of Mississippi and ordered all flags of the United States of America and the State of Mississippi to be flown at half-staff on all buildings and grounds of the State of Mississippi and all areas under its jurisdiction in remembrance of this dedicated Mississippi public servant, a man of courage and integrity; and
WHEREAS, Representative Alan Nunnelee was a Mississippi Republican and part of the 2010 GOP election that gave the party control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Nunnelee served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. He was Vice Chairman of the panel's Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies. In 2011, Nunnelee, a fiscal conservative, was one of three GOP freshmen given a coveted seat on the Appropriations Committee; and
WHEREAS, Representative Nunnelee was "highly respected in the House," former Mississippi Senator Trent Lott said recently. Representative Nunnelee, a member of the conservative Republican Study Committee, represented the mostly rural First Congressional District in northern Mississippi. Nunnelee easily won his last two House elections. Nunnelee's political career spanned two decades, beginning with his victory in a 1994 Mississippi Senate special election to succeed Roger Wicker after Wicker's election to the U.S. House. He won a full term in the State Senate in 1995 and was reelected three more times, eventually rising to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman. He served in the State Senate from 1995 to 2011 and was Chairman of the Appropriations Committee from 2008 to 2011. As Chairman of the State Senate Public Health Committee, he led efforts in 2007 to revamp the State Health Department. He was also a leader in tort reform efforts in the Mississippi Legislature; and
WHEREAS, a graduate of Clinton High School and Mississippi State University, Nunnelee was in the insurance business in Tupelo for many years; and
WHEREAS, members of the Mississippi Legislature recall Nunnelee's sense of fairness and propriety that transcended politics and partisanship. Alan believed in open and civil debate and loved the legislative process; and
WHEREAS, "Alan Nunnelee has been like a brother to me and was one of my dearest friends and companions," Governor Phil Bryant said in a statement. "I will miss him greatly"; and
WHEREAS, Nunnelee's courage and his deep desire to serve were always evident. Perhaps more important is the fact in the midst of the political grind, Nunnelee never lost his good humor and his humanity. Alan was a good husband, a good father and grandfather, and a reliable and trustworthy friend. Alan is survived by his wife, Tori, and their three children: Reed (Kemily), Emily (Morris) and Nathan (Colleen). He also leaves behind three grandchildren: Thomas, Harper and a grandson expected in April; his parents, Sandra and Pat; four sisters: Lisa (Carl), Dodie (Scott), Shannon (Jimmy) and Ammi (Brian); two brothers, Joshua (Allie) and Matthew (Olivia); his mother-in-law, Pat Bedells; brother-in-law, Barry Bedells (Karen); 18 nieces and nephews; and many aunts, uncles and cousins; and
WHEREAS, within the Mississippi Legislature and in Washington Alan Nunnelee served as a leader and mentor, representing professional standards of ethics, integrity, civility, courtesy and adherence to the Golden Rule. He advised his colleagues, "One only has so many points of personal privilege, use them wisely." Alan's life honored the Mississippi Legislature, the United States Congress and this great state that he loved and served:
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 public service of Congressman and former State Senator Patrick Alan Nunnelee from Tupelo, Mississippi, and express the sympathy of the Legislature and extend the condolences of the Mississippi Legislature to his surviving family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Tori and the surviving family of Congressman Nunnelee, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.