MS HR58

Commends former Mississippi House Representative Toby Barker for his 10-year legislative career in House District 102 (Forrest and Lamar Counties), ending June 30, 2017, when he resigned to become Mayor of Hattiesburg.

Recognizes Barker's rise from the youngest state legislator at age 25 in 2007 to positions including Vice Chairman of the Select Committee on Poverty (2008), Vice Chairman of the Public Health and Human Services Committee (2012), and Chairman of the House Performance Based Budgeting Committee (2016).

Highlights Barker's legislative accomplishments including the Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2013, 2016 foster care reform legislation with $34 million in funding, and Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship programs.

Notes Barker's efforts to secure state resources for Hattiesburg including sidewalk improvements at four schools, technology upgrades at N.R. Burger Middle School, capital investments for the Hattiesburg Zoo and Historic Eureka School Museum, and $1.3 million in appropriations for University of Southern Mississippi following the 2013 tornado.

Directs copies of the resolution be furnished to Mayor Toby Barker and members of the Capitol Press Corps.