Bill Text: MS SR34 | 2024 | Regular Session | Engrossed

Mississippi Senate Resolution 34

Bill Title: Celebrate the legacy and memory of former Public Service Commissioner-Southern District Samuel F. (Sam) Britton.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 35-16)

Status: (Passed) 2024-03-08 - Adopted [SR34 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2024-SR34-Engrossed.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2024 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Johnson, Barnett, Barrett, Berry, Blackmon, Blackwell, Blount, Boyd, Branning, Brumfield, Bryan, Butler, Carter, Chassaniol, Chism, DeBar, DeLano, England, Fillingane, Frazier, Harkins, Hickman, Hill, Hopson, Horhn, Jackson, Jordan, Kirby, Ladner, McCaughn, McLendon, McMahan, Michel, Norwood, Parker, Parks, Polk, Rhodes, Seymour, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Sparks, Suber, Tate, Thomas, Thompson, Turner-Ford, Whaley, Wiggins, Williams, Younger

Senate Resolution 34

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE LEGACY AND MEMORY OF FORMER PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER-SOUTHERN DISTRICT SAMUEL F. (SAM) BRITTON AND EXTENDING THE SYMPATHY OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO HIS SURVIVING FAMILY.

WHEREAS, we join the family and friends of former Mississippi Public Service Commissioner-Southern District Samuel F. (Sam) Britton of Laurel, Mississippi, who departed this life on October 16, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Sam Britton was born on July 30, 1956, and grew up in Waynesboro, Mississippi. His mother, Sytilee Britton, worked in the school lunch room and drove a school bus. His father, Ellis Britton, Sr., worked in the oil industry as a roughneck; and

WHEREAS, Sam graduated from Jones County Junior College before attending The University of Southern Mississippi where he completed his business degree. After completing college, he worked at his uncle's pipeline construction business. In the early 1980s, he returned to The University of Southern Mississippi and earned a degree in accounting. Sam then completed the requirements to become a CPA; and

WHEREAS, after college, Sam worked in the State Auditor and State Tax Commission offices before starting his own accounting firm. He then shifted into investment banking. He was recognized in 2014 as a "Mississippi Leader in Finance" by the Mississippi Business Journal; and

WHEREAS, Sam was elected to the Mississippi Public Service Commission for the Southern District as a Republican. In November 2015, he won with over 60% of the vote defeating Democratic candidate Tom Blanton and Reform candidate Lonny Spence; and

WHEREAS, in college in the fall of 1974, Sam met his wife, Robin Robinson. His wife is the former State Representative for the 88th District and is now the State Senator for the 42nd District, assuming office in 2024; and

WHEREAS, Sam understood the ideals of community, of faith and of service because they defined his life. Sam was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Laurel and served as a Lay Servant and as Chairman of the Church Council; and

WHEREAS, he completed several marathons, including the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., the New York City Marathon and the San Francisco Marathon, which he completed on his 50th birthday; and

WHEREAS, as a Public Service Commissioner, Sam's number one goal was to be fair and transparent and protect the ratepayers. He was successful in these efforts; and

WHEREAS, Sam is survived by his loving wife, Robin Robinson, sister, Katherine Britton Barker; brothers, Ellis C. Britton, Jr., Fred Britton and Eulon Britton, and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; and

WHEREAS, Sam impacted so many people in his 67 years through his Christian testimony, financial knowledge, political office and his smile that lit up a room; and

WHEREAS, in mourning the loss of this dedicated public servant, we recognize that his passing will never diminish the profound impact he made in the lives of his family, his colleagues, his community and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby celebrate the legacy and memory of former Public Service Commissioner-Southern District Samuel F. (Sam) Britton and extend the sympathy of the Mississippi Senate to his surviving family.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Senator Robin Robinson, forwarded to the Mississippi Public Service Commission and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.