D E D I C A T I O N C E R E M O N Y

Senator Bennie L. Turner Memorial Highway

Senate Bill 2586

In the 2015 Session of the Senate Bill 2005 was passed designating the

“SENATOR BENNIE L. TURNER MEMORIAL HIGHWAY”

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. (1) The segment of U.S. Highway 45 Alternate in Clay County beginning at the intersection with Mississippi Highway 50 and extending southerly to its intersection with the Lowndes County line is designated and shall be known as the “Senator Bennie L. Turner Memorial Highway.” City Hall (2) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall erect and maintain appropriate signs along and approaching the segment of 204 Commerce Street highway described in subsection (1) of this section. West Point , Mississippi

Thursday, September 15, 2015 10:30 a.m. Program Senator Bennie L. Turner August 21, 1948 – November 27, 2012 Call to Order Honorable Kabir Karriem Mississippi House of Representatives Senator Bennie Turner, known as a quiet but respected member of the Legislature, was born in West Point on August Presentation of Colors MDOT Law Enforcement Honor Guard 21, 1948. He earned his A.S. from Mary Holmes College, B.A. from Mississippi State University, and J.D. from the University of PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Honorable Kabir Kariem Mississippi School of Law. Turner was the former President of the Mississippi House of Representatives National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters. His company, Invocation Pastor Willie B. Lairy T&W Communications Corp., owns WTWG-AM in Columbus, Bethlehem M B Church, Houston, MS Mississippi. His wife, Edna, is the General Manager of WTWG and also an active member of NABOB. Introduction of Guests Honorable Kabir Karriem

Turner served as the Clay County prosecuting attorney before welcome Honorable Mike Tagert, Commissioner being elected to the District 16 Senate seat in 1993. His district Mississippi Transportation Commission included Clay County and parts of Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Remarks Noxubee Counties. After only three years in the Senate Turner was Honorable Willie Simmons appointed chair of the Judiciary Committee in 1996 by then-Lt. Gov. Ronnie Musgrove. He was the first black senator named to Honorable Tyrone Ellis chair one of the chamber’s five major committees. He held that Mississippi House of Representatives ily position until 2004. After two terms as Judiciary chair, Turner Unveiling of Sign Turner Family and platform guests chaired the Constitution Committee and the Ethics Committee.

Turner died on November 27, 2012. He is survived by his Reception immediately following compliments of the Covington County Chamber of Commerce. wife, Edna Walker, and four daughters, Pamela, Angela, Carolyn, Served by VFW Lacey Kelly Post 3036. and Leta. His daughter Angela won a special election to succeed him.