MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Kirby, Frazier, DeBar, Parker, Michel, Butler (38th), Blackwell, England
A RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AND RECOGNIZE DISTRICT 37 STATE SENATOR MELANIE SOJOURNER FOR HER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE.
WHEREAS, District 37 State Senator Melanie Sojourner has announced that she will not be seeking reelection to the Mississippi Senate. She has represented Senate District 37, which includes portions of Adams, Amite, Franklin and Pike Counties, for eight years. In Melanie Sojourner, the citizens of District 37 have had effective representation from a dedicated public servant with extensive experience in agricultural issues; and
WHEREAS, first elected to office in 2011, Senator Sojourner served in the Mississippi Senate for two terms after being reelected in the 2019 election. Proud of her accomplishments in the Legislature, Melanie Sojourner said she has always enjoyed working in the Senate and will miss it when she finishes this year; and
WHEREAS, Senator Sojourner was born in Centreville, Mississippi, and was raised in Kingston, Mississippi. She is the great-granddaughter of Albert Boyd Sojourner, who was in the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1916. She attended Adams County Christian School and graduated from Louisiana State University; and
WHEREAS, Senator Sojourner earned her A.S. from Copiah-Lincoln Community College, and B.S. in Animal Science from Louisiana State University. Sojourner's professional experience includes working as a Production Assistant for a Walt Disney production company, in the membership department of the Mississippi Cattlemen's Association, and for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. Sojourner has also run a small commercial cow/calf operation. She is a former 4-H Livestock Specialist for the MSU Extension Service; and
WHEREAS, Senator Sojourner is former Chair of the Senate Forestry Committee and in 2020, she was assigned to the following committees: Highways and Transportation; Labor; Ports and Marine Resources; Agriculture; Corrections; County Affairs; Drug Policy; and Finance; and
WHEREAS, Senator Sojourner has two children, Kaelin and Dayne; and
WHEREAS, Melanie has taken the values and work ethics acquired from being raised on a sixth generation family farm and put them to work for the Southwest Mississippi region, improving the educational system, protecting private property rights and working to create an environment that supports strong small businesses. As a Senator, she always supported core traditional conservative values and beliefs; and
WHEREAS, Senator Sojourner's service has been marked by her sound judgment, civility, courtesy and fairness. She has set the highest standard in all of her many roles: mother, statesman, community leader, leader in the Mississippi Senate, and as a true friend. Melanie's service honored both the Mississippi Senate and this great state that she loves and serves:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and recognize District 37 State Senator Melanie Sojourner for her distinguished service in the Mississippi Senate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Senator Melanie Sojourner and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.