House Concurrent Resolution 20

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE HONORABLE TERRY W. BROWN, SR., PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY, COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, the grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, the Honorable Terry W. Brown, Sr., to eternal rest, as he has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, colleagues and friends; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Legislature and the State of Mississippi, particularly the Golden Triangle, lost a wonderful friend, colleague, advocate, community leader and enlightened lawmaker on Thursday, September 4, 2014, with the passing of Senator Brown; and

WHEREAS, the Honorable Terry W. Brown began his legislative service in 1987 after edging out formidable 20-year incumbent Thomas McCrary, was elected by the citizens of House District 40 to serve as State Representative for Lowndes County, and after a brief legislative hiatus following an unsuccessful bid for Lieutenant Governor, was subsequently elected to the Mississippi Senate in 2003 to represent Senate District 17, where in such legislative capacities he diligently served the citizens and constituency base for the past 22 years; and

WHEREAS, a businessman who found his niche as a policy and business consultant, utilized the wisdom and experience he accrued over the years to guide him in his duties as Chairman of the House Public Buildings, Grounds and Lands Committee, Chairman of the Senate Committees on Labor, Fees, Salaries and Administration, and lastly, Rules, which he was vested with chairmanship by virtue of his confirmation as President Pro Tempore of the Senate in 2012; and

WHEREAS, additionally, while in the House of Representatives, Senator Brown served as a member of the committees on Appropriations, Conservation and Water Resources, County Affairs, Fees and Salaries of Public Officers, Insurance, Public Health and Welfare and Public Utilities before moving to the Upper House to serve on Senate Committees on Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency, Appropriation, Conservation and Water Resources, Economic Development and Tourism, Environmental Protection, Finance, Highways and Transportation, Housing, Insurance, Judiciary B, Compilation, Revision and Publication, Legislative Budget and PEER; and

WHEREAS, driven by the core values instilled in him by his parents, after graduating from New Hope High School, President Pro Tempore Brown attended East Mississippi Community College, where he played as defensive tackle and center under legendary Hall of Fame Coach Bob "Bull" Sullivan, and subsequently devoted six years to his country as a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard, while concurrently attending Delta State University and Mississippi State University, which all worked cohesively to prepare him for a successful career as the local business owner of Brown Superette; and

WHEREAS, as fate would lend itself to the building upon the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of his life by the god-head of the great deity, Senator Brown's chivalry and affection pierced the heart of the former Andra L. Dobbel, and the duo became bone of one another's bone and flesh of one another's flesh after exchanging the nuptials of holy matrimony; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure of leadership in the Mississippi Legislature, President Pro Tempore Brown developed a reputation as one of the most astute and well-versed individuals in economics and business savvy to champion the cause of economic development in the Golden Triangle and the entire state, and served as an integral component in landing major businesses to the state such as, Severstal NA, PAACAR, Inc., and Yokohoma Tire, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, throughout the years, President Pro Tempore Brown utilized his experience and leadership skills to ensure that vital legislative measures impacting the overall quality of living and systematic well-being of Mississippians were highly vetted, in addition to the management and operation of his personal profession as a business consultant; and

WHEREAS, Senator Brown, who possessed an unrestrained sense of humor with a personality that has been described by Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves as "larger than life," remained beholden to his personal and religious convictions as a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and patronage throughout his life's affiliation with numerous social and civic affiliations, such as the American Legion, New Hope Supper Club, Exchange Club, Lions Club and the Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, the legacy of President Pro Tempore Brown's memory will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors: wife, Andra Dobbel Brown; sons, Andrew Cody (Hope), Charles "Chas" Randolph and Terry Wayne "Boomer" Brown, Jr.; sister, Beverly Reeder; brothers, Donnie (Laura) and Doug (Lori) Brown; brothers-in-law, Charles (Nancy) and Kurt Dobbel; and a host of other relatives, colleagues and friends; and

WHEREAS, President Pro Tempore Brown was a voice of reckoning who never failed to mince words, yet remained direct in his approach and affirmed in his allegiances to those by whom he was chosen to serve, and it is the policy of this Legislature to acknowledge the selfless humanitarianism of an individual of his esteemed caliber whose public service was exemplified by fairness and sound judgment, and who set the highest standard as a leader in the Mississippi Legislature and as a true friend, as best said by childhood friend, Gary Chism, of Lowndes County, "Terry was a big asset for the Golden Triangle, and while we are capable of filling his position, we remain unable to fill his shoes":

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of public service of the Honorable Terry W. Brown, Sr., President Pro Tempore of the Mississippi Senate, and extend sincere and deepest sympathy to his family, colleagues and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of the Honorable Terry W. Brown, Sr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.