Bill Text: MS SC584 | 2011 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Mourn the loss and commend public service of former Mississippi Senator Robert L. Crook.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2011-02-03 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC584 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2011-SC584-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hewes, Butler (38th), Carmichael, Davis, Dearing, Fillingane, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, Lee (35th), Moffatt, Montgomery, Stone, Ward, Wilemon
Senate Concurrent Resolution 584
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF FORMER MISSISSIPPI SENATOR ROBERT LACEY CROOK.
WHEREAS, Senator Robert Lacey Crook, who was a respected member of the Mississippi Senate for 28 years, passed away on January 26, 2011. Senator Crook was born April 22, 1929, in Bolton, Mississippi. His family moved to Ruleville, Mississippi, and he attended the University of Mississippi and the Jackson School of Law; and
WHEREAS, Senator Robert Crook was considered an influential leader in the Senate and in the Legislature during the 28 years that he served from 1964-1992. He served at a time when the Mississippi Legislature was a strong manager of Mississippi government through the budget process and through control of executive boards and commissions. Senator Crook represented the interests of the Mississippi Delta and he was very proud of that. He was a student and close friend of United States Senator James O. Eastland and Senate Appropriations Chairman Bill Burgin, and was an effective, hardworking member of the Senate leadership of his era. Senator Crook was an extremely eloquent speaker when he took the Senate podium. Senator Crook understood the authority of the Legislature and exercised it, as he would say "to the hilt"; and
WHEREAS, Senator Crook is most remembered for the legislation he authored and passed involving the modernization of state government. He understood the importance of new technology at the time when the computer was a new tool of government, and authored the legislation which established the Central Data Processing Authority (CDPA) which was the predecessor of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services. He authored the legislation which established the current Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration and the State Personnel Board. In 1985, following the landmark Mississippi Supreme Court decision which removed legislators from serving on all major executive boards and commissions, he authored Senate Bill No. 3050, which implemented the order of the court and reorganized all Mississippi government into the basic structure that we see to this day. He received a national award from the U.S. General Services Administration for this landmark legislation. Senator Crook fought vigorously for the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, which was the largest employer in his district, to make its operation professional instead of political. Senator Crook was very active in the issue of public utilities regulation and authored legislation to reorganize the Public Service Commission and establish the independent Public Utilities Staff. Senator Crook served on the first Joint Legislative Audit Committee (PEER) and took this committee to Washington, D.C., to develop governmental audit procedures for Mississippi. He was the first Chairman of the Senate Fees, Salaries and Administration Committee, which handled all legislation dealing with the salaries of governmental officials at the state, county and municipal level. As a successful practicing lawyer, Senator Crook was very active in legislation dealing with the legal profession and plaintiff's practice including Workers Compensation issues; and
WHEREAS, Senator Crook was appointed State Director of Civil Defense from 1960-1964 by Governor Ross Barnett. Senator Crook was proud of his military service in the United States Marines and was a student of the War Between the States, due to the service of his Confederate ancestor as an officer at the pivotal Battle of Champion Hill at Edwards, Mississippi. He was active in the American Legion, the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the Military Order of the Stars and Bars; and
WHEREAS, Senator Crook is survived by his wife of 57 years, Gita Crook, sons Robert Crook II and Hubert Crook, and grandson Cade Crook. Senator Crook is remembered and will be missed by the Mississippi Senate and it is with sadness that we note the passing of a longtime friend and colleague:
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 Mississippi Senator Robert Lacey Crook who represented Ruleville, Mississippi, in District 13, and extend our sympathy to his surviving family on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Senator Crook and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
