Letter to the editor

I remember how proud I was when our Mississippi House of Representatives and Senate passed legislation, just a few years ago, naming the 301 Building in downtown  Jackson, Mississippi “The Robert G. Clark Jr. Building.” This was a well deserved honor, for our friend and former legislative colleague, and was properly done so while Rep. Clark is still living.

Currently, there is another piece of worthy, bi-partisan legislation to name the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery at Enid, Mississippi after one of our former legislative colleagues Senator Charles Ray Nix (Ret.) of Batesville. This legislation, passed overwhelmingly by our Miss. State Senate, is now pending committee action in the Miss. House of Representatives Rules and Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committees.

Charles Ray Nix’s dedicated record of service to Mississippi sportsmen and women, through his many years of service as a member and Chairman of the Senate Conservation Committee, is a well known matter of public record.

Charles Ray was one of those proven leaders who helped bring today’s Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks into the professional and respected ranks for which it is now recognized.

I respectfully ask the Mississippi House of Represenatives to support the current efforts by Panola County’s Legislative Delegation and give Senator Charles Ray Nix (Ret.) the same consideration afforded his/our mutual friend, former Miss. Representative Robert Clark, by also honoring Senator Nix while he is still living.

The North Mississippi Fish Hatchery, located at Enid Dam near the Panola/Yalobusha County line, also located in my former North Mississippi Legislative District, is only seven miles from Charles Ray’s Batesville home.

Charles Ray’s distinguished record of public service, especially in the area of wildlife conservation, to his home area and across Mississippi, more than qualifies him for this well deserved honor.

Thank you,

Charles Pittman