Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 34
BY SENATOR THOMPSON
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
passing of a beloved statesman, Senator Carl J. "Jack" Gordon, Jr., of Okolona,
Mississippi.
WHEREAS, it was with deep regret that the members of the Legislature of Louisiana
have learned of the death of Mississippi State Senator, the Honorable Jack Gordon, on
May 7, 2011, at the age of sixty-six; and
WHEREAS, Senator Jack Gordon was a true southern gentleman, a man brimming
with self-confidence and charisma, who possessed a keen sense of humor and a profound
understanding of the complexities of the legislative process; and
WHEREAS, Jack Gordon, through diligence and hard work, led a charmed life, both
in public service and private enterprise, experiencing success in nearly every business
endeavor that included ownership in Polyfoam Manufacturing, Tupelo Oil, Bessemer
Petroleum, and real estate holdings; and
WHEREAS, Jack Gordon had served the second longest tenure, thirty-six years, in
the history of the Mississippi Legislature, with eight years in the House of Representatives
and twenty-eight years of distinguished service to the citizens of the Eighth Senatorial
District; having served honorably under the administrations of eight governors; and
WHEREAS, Senator Jack Gordon performed his legislative duties with noteworthy
aplomb and had served on a majority of Senate committees that included Congressional
Redistricting, Fees, Salaries, and Administration; Environmental Protection, Conservation,
and Water Resources; Judiciary A, Legislative Budget, Reapportionment, Local and Private,
Oil, Gas, and Other Minerals; and also served as chairman of Appropriations, Public
Property, Education, Public Employees & Retirement, and Buildings & Grounds SCR NO. 34 ENROLLED
Page 2 of 3
committees; and
WHEREAS, Senator Jack Gordon provided invaluable leadership in the betterment
of education; his influence confected the Education Reform Act of 1982 that mandated early
learning in public schools and other measures for improved scholastic rankings of state
universities and community colleges; and
WHEREAS, Senator Jack Gordon worked tirelessly on the behalf of the Southern
Regional Education Board, an interstate compact for education composed of sixteen member
states, whose focus is to improve public schools and higher education; and
WHEREAS, since 1977, he had served SREB in all aspects, as a member of its
advisory council, executive and finance committees, the special committee for the
improvement of high school graduation rates, and lastly, as its treasurer; and
WHEREAS, through his extraordinary talents for diplomacy and compromise, he
brought to fruition advancements in education that shall continue to have a positive affect
on future generations of Mississippi's school children; and
WHEREAS, Senator Jack Gordon was articulate and knowledgeable in the policies
of appropriations and finance and his political philosophy embraced the give and take
processes of representative democracy; and
WHEREAS, he was born on December 29, 1944, in Tupelo, Mississippi, to parents,
Mr. and Mrs. Carl J. Gordon, Sr.; and
WHEREAS, as an avid fan and graduate of Mississippi State University, he lent his
support to athletic programs and academic studies and was honored by his alma mater in
March of 2011 with a scholarship that bears his name; and
WHEREAS, as a Christian of unfaltering faith, Jack Gordon was a lifelong member
of the Okolona First Baptist Church; and
WHEREAS, he was married for forty-three years to his wife, Martha Estes Gordon,
and their union was blessed with three daughters, Natalie Rutledge, Kim Gordon, and Leigh
Carole Mullins, precious grandchildren, fond friends, and extended family; and
WHEREAS, known for his gentle and compassionate spirit, Senator Jack Gordon
was admired by all and respected for his personable demeanor which was laced with a
special kindness; and SCR NO. 34 ENROLLED
Page 3 of 3
WHEREAS, Senator Jack Gordon was a generous man who performed his public
service duties proudly and he leaves a rich, unique legacy that shall live on in the hearts of
all who knew him.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express its sincere and heartfelt condolences on the passing of a great statesman from the
Senate of the state of Mississippi, Carl J. "Jack" Gordon, Jr.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
widow, Mrs. Martha E. Gordon.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES