Bill Text: MS HR84 | 2015 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Representative Rita Martinson; commend dedicated legislative career upon her retirement.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2015-04-02 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR84 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2015-HR84-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: The Entire Membership
House Resolution 84
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING REPRESENTATIVE RITA MARTINSON FOR HER MANY YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND WISHING HER WELL UPON HER RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, the honorable and distinguished Representative Rita Martinson will retire from the Mississippi House of Representatives after devoting 24 consecutive years of extraordinary service to benefit the people of Mississippi and House District 58, which is situated within Madison County, from the historical floor of the majestic and elaborate House Chamber; and
WHEREAS, born on September 11, 1937, in Gloster, Mississippi, Representative Martinson graduated from Gloster High School and earned her bachelor of arts degree from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, through her position as co-founder of Green Oak Nursery and Florist, Representative Martinson provided exotic beauty, sweet fragrance and tips for a vibrant garden to the people of the greater Jackson area for over 30 years, and when she was elected to the House of Representatives in 1992, she not only utilized her business experience but also furnished honesty, fairness and, on the lighter side, a pop of stylish pizzazz to the citizens in her role as state representative; and
WHEREAS, throughout her years as a stateswoman, Representative Martinson has proven that dynamite comes in small packages, having gently but effectively maneuvered around several controversial issues and mediated some very disparate viewpoints to achieve compromises and resolutions on important topics, including new requirements and programs to improve the overall reading skills of Mississippi students, a reduced tax burden for the hard working Mississippi taxpayers, and countless other impressive feats regarding education, small businesses and tourism; and
WHEREAS, during her tenure as a legislator, Representative Martinson has served on the following committees: Agriculture, Apportionment and Elections, Appropriations, Conservation and Water Resources, Constitution, Education, Ethics, Fees and Salaries of Public Officers, Judiciary A, Labor, Management, Municipalities, Public Property, Railway Development, Tourism and Ways and Means; and
WHEREAS, since 1992, Representative Martinson has gained respect, stature and prominence, beginning as a freshman lawmaker whose passion, patience and perseverance earned her the role of Vice Chairperson of the House Committees on Municipalities and Public Property before ultimately being named the House Tourism Committee Chairperson; and
WHEREAS, as Chairwoman of the Tourism Committee, Representative Martinson permanently ensured Mississippi's invaluable status as "The Birthplace of America's Music" when she shepherded to passage legislation that designated the third Tuesday of March as Mississippi Musician's Day and successfully orchestrated the first annual celebration of local, independent artists, an instrumental step towards generating greater recognition of the impact of Mississippi musicians on the nation's culture and economy; and
WHEREAS, not one to limit her community involvement to the Legislature, Representative Martinson, a devout member of the Catholic faith, has always been active in her community and dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens, as evidenced by her service as a member of the Madison-Ridgeland Rotary Club, Special Olympics Board, Ridgeland/Northpark Lions Club, Madison County Republican Women's Club and her local chambers of commerce; and
WHEREAS, while Representative Martinson will miss the wonderful people she worked with as an illustrious member of the House of Representatives, she is ecstatic to spend her retirement traveling with her loving husband, Billy; wonderful children, Ginny Weilenman, Karen McKie, Chip and Allen; and vivacious grandchildren, Delaney, Michael, Eric, Carly, Nic, Evelyn, Kelly, Mia and Mac; and
WHEREAS, Representative Martinson has led and continues to lead a life of bravery in the face of challenge, sincerity in the face of apathy and honesty in the presence of deceit, and through it all, this remarkable person has remained a phenomenal lady, grounded in her integrity, who seeks to improve the lives of others through positive example and hard work; and
WHEREAS, an exemplary public servant to the Magnolia State as the member of the House of Representatives from House District 58, Representative Rita Martinson's knowledge, skill and untiring laboriousness will be dearly missed by all of her colleagues and others who were lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with her and experience her engaging and effective personality; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor the legacy of one of our own, Representative Rita Martinson, who has represented her district, this body and the people of this state with honor and dignity:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby honor the legislative legacy of Representative Rita Martinson, express gratitude for her many years of dedicated service to the people of the State of Mississippi and congratulate her upon her retirement from the Mississippi House of Representatives.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Representative Rita Martinson and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
