Bill Text: MS SR8 | 2014 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Commend the life and civic contributions of Biloxi seafood patriarch Emile "Junior" Desporte.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2014-04-01 - Immediate Release [SR8 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2014-SR8-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2014 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Gollott, Tindell
Senate Resolution 8
(As Adopted by Senate)
A RESOLUTION TO PAY TRIBUTE AND COMMEND THE LIFE AND CIVIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF BILOXI SEAFOOD PATRIARCH EMILE "JUNIOR" DESPORTE AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE.
WHEREAS, Emile L. "Junior" Desporte, Jr., who still worked six days a week at the market and usually was the first one in to arrange the seafood displays and make coffee, passed away on March 30, 2014; and
WHEREAS, he grew up in a seafood family and passed the legacy on to his sons. At the age of 87, he was still on the job at Desporte & Sons Seafood Market and Deli on Division Street. He believed in treating his customers like family; and
WHEREAS, his father came from Louisiana in the late 1800s to found the Desporte legacy that evolved, under Junior Desporte's care, from wholesale to retail and then supplying food for Coast hotels. The business spanned five generations. He was the last of the Junies, all of them in the seafood business; and
WHEREAS, Emile had a great personality, loved music and loved to dance. He was a people person. He also loved Frank Sinatra. The family bought him an iPod and set it up to play nothing but Sinatra; and
WHEREAS, Desporte attended church every Sunday at Our Lady of Fatima and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Biloxi. Biloxi has lost one of its pioneers; and we cherish fondly the memory of this most public spirited citizen of the Mississippi Gulf Coast whose enormous business and civic energy was part of the fabric of life in Biloxi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby pay tribute and commend the life and civic contributions of Biloxi Seafood Patriarch Emile "Junior" Desporte and expressing the sympathy of the Mississippi Senate.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Mr. Desporte, forwarded to the Mayor and Council of the City of Biloxi, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
