Mississippi lost a devoted public servant last week with thedeath of Rep. Charlie Capps. Mr. Capps died on Christmas Day in hishometown of Cleveland. He was 84 and had retired from publicservice. Devoted to his Delta region, he too was devoted toMississippi and to something very dear to our hearts here inSouthwest Mississippi – The Mississippi School of the Arts.

As the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee he was akey figure in the effort to pass the legislation for theestablishment of the performing arts school here in Brookhaven.

“Without his support and leadership we could not have passedlegislation for the school,” former Rep. Jim Barnett commentedearlier this week.

Dr. Barnett called Capps a good friend who was dedicated to thepeople of Mississippi.

In 2002 longtime legislative colleague and former House Speakerpro tempore Robert Clark spoke of Capps’ passion for Mississippi.”He’s an excellent steward of the people’s money and property.Mississippi is lucky to have him overseeing the state budget.”

For 24 years the Delta representative tightly held the pursestrings of Mississippi, his efforts, his dedication to his statehelped make life better for all Mississippians. In these troublingtimes we could use his common sense leadership.

Mississippi lost a great Mississippian last week.