Bill Text: MS HR15 | 2011 | 1st Special Session | Engrossed


Bill Title: Speaker Pro Tempore J.P. Compretta; commend dedicated legislative service to the MS House of Representatives upon his retirement.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-09-06 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR15 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2011-HR15-Engrossed.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2011 1st Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Warren

House Resolution 15

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE JOSEPH PATRICK "J.P." COMPRETTA FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND WISHING HIM WELL UPON HIS RETIREMENT.

     WHEREAS, Joseph Patrick "J.P." Compretta, Speaker Pro Tempore of the Mississippi House of Representatives, completed 32 years of service as a member of the House of Representatives from District 122, which consists of a part of coastal Hancock County; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Compretta was born on March 17, 1945, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, graduated from Bay St. Louis High School and attended Pearl River Junior College before earning an undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, and subsequent thereto, a law degree from the Mississippi College School of Law; and

     WHEREAS, he commenced his law career as a public servant by serving as County Prosecutor, City Prosecutor and Assistant District Attorney; and

     WHEREAS, the Pro Tem began his service as a legislator when he became a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives after having been elected in 1975, serving from 1976-1984, and after a brief legislative hiatus, was once again elected in 1987, gaining stature as a gentleman, a scholar and a true statesman, rising from freshman lawmaker to Chairman of the House Local and Private Committee in 1988, to his appointment as Chairman of the House Transportation Committee in 1996, and culminating in his 2004 election by his colleagues to the office of Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Management Committee, in which he served two terms, and Select Committee on the Gulf Coast Disaster in the wake of Hurricane Katrina's aftermath in 2005; and

     WHEREAS, during his tenure in the House, Speaker Pro Tempore Compretta has become a guiding force assuming a leading role in virtually every meaningful economic development, education, transportation program, and election reform measures that have been addressed by the Mississippi Legislature; and

     WHEREAS, over the course of his more than three decades of diligence and devotion as a people's champion, Speaker Pro Tempore Compretta's committee assignments have included:  Conservation and Water Resources, Education, Judiciary "B", Pensions, Social Welfare and Public Health, Ways and Means, Local and Private, Judiciary "A", PEER, State Library, Interstate Cooperation, Juvenile Justice, Universities and Colleges, Transportation, Enrolled Bills, Management, Marine Resources, Rules, Ethics, Gaming, Select Committee on the Gulf Coast Disaster, Select Committee on Utility Cost Recovery and Joint Legislative Code Compilation, Revision and Publication; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Compretta's love and deeply felt respect for the Legislature as an institution has led him to fight to preserve and nurture its integrity, becoming a guardian of principles of this sacred fraternal order of legislators; and

     WHEREAS, demonstrating that he is one of the rare leaders who is able to lead effectively while promoting and protecting the strength of the Legislature, Speaker Pro Tempore Compretta is known to be a fair and evenhanded steward of the diplomacy, whose storied career in the House hails him as a giant of a man with an intrinsic ability to maintain a healthy balance of political power and humor; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Compretta is widely admired for his low-key, laid-back, gentlemanly approach to matters that arise during House deliberations, a character trait that has proven itself beneficial to his being held in utmost respect and esteem by his colleagues of both Republican and Democratic party affiliations; and

     WHEREAS, even while he leads the House with stellar resolve, Speaker Pro Tempore Compretta, a quiet storm, is known for his congenial nature, attentiveness and infectious sense of humor, qualities which have served him well in lightening the air of heated debate with timely sarcasm and jovial expressions; and

     WHEREAS, apart from his career as an attorney and legislator, Speaker Pro Tempore Compretta has been a faithful member of the Episcopal Church, as well as in his affiliations with The Mississippi Bar Association, Mississippi Arts Fair for the Handicapped and the Lions Club; and

     WHEREAS, a true statesman vetted by the authenticities of the legislative process, Speaker Pro Tempore Compretta, who holds sacred the bonds of family, endured every triumphant, historic, laughable and daunting moment through the support and encouragement of his family:  devoted wife, Kay Dorich Compretta; daughter, Jennifer; sons, Jonathan, Jeremy, and Jody, who was his father's greatest champion during his life; and several grandchildren; and

     WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Compretta has indicated that he will retire at the expiration of his present term and the members of the House of Representatives wish to express sincere appreciation to Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore for his dedicated service to the people of the State of Mississippi and for the personal sacrifices he has made on their behalf:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend our friend, colleague and leader, Speaker Pro Tempore Joseph Patrick "J.P." Compretta, for all he has meant to the Mississippi House of Representatives and for his unmatched contributions to the people of the State of Mississippi, and we want him to know that his leadership will be missed.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Speaker Pro Tempore J.P. Compretta and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.

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