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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 34
BY SENATOR THOMPSON
CONDOLENCES. Expresses sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of
Mississippi State Senator Carl J. "Jack" Gordon.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the2
passing of a beloved statesman, Senator Carl J. "Jack" Gordon, Jr., of Okolona,3
Mississippi.4
WHEREAS, it was with deep regret that the members of the Legislature of Louisiana5
have learned of the death of Mississippi State Senator, the Honorable Jack Gordon, on6
May 7, 2011, at the age of sixty-six; and7
WHEREAS, Senator Jack Gordon was a true southern gentleman, a man brimming8
with self-confidence and charisma, who possessed a keen sense of humor and a profound9
understanding of the complexities of the legislative process; and10
WHEREAS, Jack Gordon, through diligence and hard work, led a charmed life, both11
in public service and private enterprise, experiencing success in nearly every business12
endeavor that included ownership in Polyfoam Manufacturing, Tupelo Oil, Bessemer13
Petroleum, and real estate holdings; and14
WHEREAS, Jack Gordon had served the second longest tenure, thirty-six years, in15
the history of the Mississippi Legislature, with eight years in the House of Representatives16
and twenty-eight years of distinguished service to the citizens of the Eighth Senatorial17
District; having served honorably under the administrations of eight governors; and18 SCR NO. 34
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WHEREAS, Senator Jack Gordon performed his legislative duties with noteworthy1
aplomb and had served on a majority of Senate committees that included Congressional2
Redistricting, Fees, Salaries, and Administration; Environmental Protection, Conservation,3
and Water Resources; Judiciary A, Legislative Budget, Reapportionment, Local and Private,4
Oil, Gas, and Other Minerals; and also served as chairman of Appropriations, Public5
Property, Education, Public Employees & Retirement, and Buildings & Grounds6
committees; and7
WHEREAS, Senator Jack Gordon provided invaluable leadership in the betterment8
of education; his influence confected the Education Reform Act of 1982 that mandated early9
learning in public schools and other measures for improved scholastic rankings of state10
universities and community colleges; and11
WHEREAS, Senator Jack Gordon worked tirelessly on the behalf of the Southern12
Regional Education Board, an interstate compact for education composed of sixteen member13
states, whose focus is to improve public schools and higher education; and14
WHEREAS, since 1977, he had served SREB in all aspects, as a member of its15
advisory council, executive and finance committees, the special committee for the16
improvement of high school gradation rates, and lastly, as its treasurer; and17
WHEREAS, through his extraordinary talents for diplomacy and compromise, he18
brought to fruition advancements in education that shall continue to have a positive affect19
on future generations of Mississippi's school children; and20
WHEREAS, Senator Jack Gordon was articulate and knowledgeable in the policies21
of appropriations and finance and his political philosophy embraced the give and take22
processes of representative democracy; and23
WHEREAS, he was born on December 29, 1944, in Tupelo, Mississippi, to parents,24
Mr. and Mrs. Carl J. Gordon, Sr.; and25
WHEREAS, as an avid fan and graduate of Mississippi State University, he lent his26
support to athletic programs and academic studies and was honored by his alma mater in27
March of 2011 with a scholarship that bears his name; and28
WHEREAS, as a Christian of unfaltering faith, Jack Gordon was a lifelong member29
of the Okolona First Baptist Church; and30 SCR NO. 34
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WHEREAS, he was married for forty-three years to his wife, Martha Estes Gordon,1
and their union was blessed with three daughters, Natalie Rutledge, Kim Gordon, and Leigh2
Carole Mullins, precious grandchildren, fond friends, and extended family; and3
WHEREAS, known for his gentle and compassionate spirit, Senator Jack Gordon4
was admired by all and respected for his personable demeanor which was laced with a5
special kindness; and6
WHEREAS, Senator Jack Gordon was a generous man who performed his public7
service duties proudly and he leaves a rich, unique legacy that shall live on in the hearts of8
all who knew him.9
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby10
express its sincere and heartfelt condolences on the passing of a great statesman from the11
Senate of the state of Mississippi, Carl J. "Jack" Gordon, Jr.12
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his13
widow, Mrs. Martha E. Gordon.14
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
Thompson SCR No.
Expresses condolences upon the death of Mississippi Senator Carl J. "Jack" Gordon.