MS HC40

Honors the life and legacy of William Forrest Winter, Mississippi's 58th Governor, who passed away on December 18, 2020, at age 97

Commemorates his landmark 1982 Education Reform Act, which established Mississippi's first compulsory school attendance law and statewide public kindergarten system, passing the Senate by a single vote

Recognizes his lifelong work in racial reconciliation, including founding the Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation in 1999 and advocating for changing Mississippi's state flag to remove the Confederate emblem

Notes his extensive political career spanning from 1947 State Representative through terms as State Tax Collector, State Treasurer, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor (1980-1984)

Expresses sympathy to his wife of 70 years, Elise Varner Winter, three daughters, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren