Mississippi Senate recesses after ceremonial recognitions; senator hospitalized

The Mississippi Senate recessed until 5:00 p.m. after opening its session with an invocation, guest introductions and ceremonial recognition, and lawmakers were informed that Senator Albert Butler had suffered a stroke and been transferred to a medical center, chamber proceedings show.

The session began with an invocation by Reverend Bruce Case, pastor at Saint Luke's United Methodist Church in the Fondren neighborhood of Jackson. Reverend Case, introduced as the guest of Senator Fillingain, led senators in prayer and urged members to "serve with honesty and integrity, always striving to see your image in the face of others, especially those with whom we disagree," remarks recorded in the chamber transcript.

Senators introduced several guests in the galleries, including District Attorney Lynn Carter, a teacher and children’s advocate identified as Kirby Carter, and Dee Horton, identified as the mother of a page. The chamber also recognized Senator Polk, who is retiring at the end of the session; Brigadier General Thomas and Polk's family were brought to the floor for a ceremonial acknowledgement of the senator's support for the Mississippi National Guard.

Senator Horn told the body that Senator Albert Butler had a stroke that morning and had been transferred to a medical center; Horn asked members to keep Butler in their prayers. A request was also made that the Senate adjourn later in the day in memory of the wife of a former police chief; the transcript notes the name of the deceased was not provided on the floor.

On routine procedure, Senator Blackwell moved to dispense with the reading of the journal; the motion carried on a voice vote. The Senate likewise dispensed with the reading of committee reports and the titles of bills and resolutions after similar motions. Near the end of the morning business, Senator Blackwell moved that the Senate stand in recess until 5:00 p.m. or until the last committee report was filed; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The session included several announcements of committee meetings and outside receptions, including a reminder about a reception hosted by the Mississippi Association of Health Plans for members of the Medicare, Drug Policy and Insurance committees, scheduled for that evening between 5:00 and 6:30 p.m.

The day’s business otherwise consisted largely of procedural items and introductions; no roll-call votes on substantive legislation were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.

The Senate was scheduled to reconvene at 10 a.m. the following day, according to the motion to recess recorded in the journal.