Bill > SC509

This concurrent resolution expresses the sincere sympathy of the Mississippi Legislature on the passing of Dr. Rod Paige, a Mississippi native who made history as the nation's first African American United States Secretary of Education. The resolution honors his memory and legacy, highlighting his significant contributions to education, including his role in implementing the landmark "No Child Left Behind" law, which aimed to establish universal testing standards and hold schools accountable for student performance, reflecting his belief that a child's birthplace should not determine their educational success. It also acknowledges his earlier career as a coach and administrator, including his time at Jackson State University, and his subsequent pivot to education leadership, culminating in his superintendency of the Houston Independent School District, where his reforms influenced national education policy. The resolution further notes his commitment to educational excellence as a civil right and his efforts to improve management and accountability within the Department of Education, and it will be shared with his family, the U.S. Secretary of Education, the President of Jackson State University, and the press.

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SC/SC0509.xml