Bill Text: MS HR108 | 2013 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Dr. Tommy Laney "Tommy" Sweat; commend and congratulate upon the occasion of his retirement.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)
Status: (Passed) 2013-03-20 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR108 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-HR108-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Bain, Arnold, Carpenter, Hood
House Resolution 108
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE OF DR. THOMAS LANEY "TOMMY" SWEAT AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, after more than 57 years, a medical champion, community pillar and staple of primary healthcare for Alcorn County, in the form of Dr. Thomas Laney "Tommy" Sweat, who has decided to hang his lab coat and lay down his stethoscope for a more relaxed approach to life, after the announcement of his plans for retirement from the regular practice of medicine; and
WHEREAS, born on March 12, 1926, in Jackson, Mississippi, while his father Judge N.S. Sweat, Sr., was serving in the Mississippi State Legislature, Dr. Sweat graduated from Corinth High School in 1943, and subsequently attended the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) from June 1943 until January 1944 before voluntarily enlisting in the United States Navy, was sent to Emory University until May 1945, when he was assigned to Parris Island, South Carolina, Marine Base as a corpsman; and
WHEREAS, upon completing his initial service in the Navy, Dr. Sweat returned to Ole Miss to finish his undergraduate pursuits before entering medical school at the University of Tennessee, graduating in June 1949, and completing his internship at St. Joseph Hospital in May 1950; and
WHEREAS, initially having gone into private practice in Ripley, Mississippi, Dr. Sweat met along his life's pathway of destiny and fate, as ordained by God, the adoring Frances Lee Riley, who would not only be his confidant and friend, but also his wife upon their marital union on September 30, 1950, and mother of their three children, Tom, Anne and Riley; and
WHEREAS, ever the patriot and national loyalist, Dr. Sweat returned to the Navy as a Division Medical Officer for Destroyer Division 62 in November 1953 and was stationed at Navy Hospital No. 3 in Newport, Rhode Island, where he provided his exceptional skill and expertise until his return to Corinth in December 1955, when he opened his private medical practice that spanned the course of 53 years from 1958 to 2008, at which time he offered his professional services to the Magnolia Regional Health Center Community Clinic; and
WHEREAS, at the outset of his career, Dr. Sweat shared the hospital emergency room duties with 13 other local doctors, delivered 2,500 babies, performed free physicals for Corinth High School athletes, and in 1969 founded the Coronary Care Unit at Magnolia Hospital, serving as director for ten years and as chairman for two terms.
WHEREAS, instrumental in providing training for local paramedics with former Alcorn County Coroner Dan Leeth, Dr. Sweat, as the Chief of Staff at the Community Hospital and board member of the Magnolia Hospital Board of Trustees, took a particular interest in recruiting new physicians to the Corinth and Alcorn County area, and for his visionary insight, he was named to the Mississippi State Health Care Commission in 1984; and
WHEREAS, a civic and social activist, Dr. Sweat is a former 38-year member and past President of the Corinth Rotary Club and a founding director of Corinth Alcorn Reaching for Excellence (CARE); and
WHEREAS, Dr. Sweat has made great and persistent efforts during the last 57 years to bring improved and accessible health care to the citizens of Corinth and Alcorn County; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend deserving citizens, whose service and career speaks testamentary volumes of the caliber of an individual such as Dr. Sweat:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the distinguished career and exceptional service of Dr. Thomas Laney "Tommy" Sweat, congratulate him upon the occasion of his retirement and extend sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors as he enjoys the lighter years of life.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Sweat and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
