Five questions with the Magnolia Report
Note:
This is the first of a new weekly section of the Magnolia Report featuring
Mississippi newsmakers and people involved in our political process.
Eric Fleming
represents parts of Hinds and Madison Counties in the Mississippi House
of Representatives. The Chicago native moved to Mississippi in 1983 to
attend Jackson State University on an academic scholarship. Fleming has
been involved in numerous campaigns, winning his own to the House of Representatives
in 1999. Prior to being elected to the House, he was the first African-American
to serve as Sergeant-at-Arms of the State Senate.
 1.
What is the single most important issue that went un-addressed in the
past session?
The
renewal of the Department of Human Services. As the co-chair of the Training
School Task Force, it is important that we have a Department of Human
Services fully functional until we come up with a solution to the problems
that have happened at Columbia and Oakley.
2.
How does the leadership of Speaker McCoy differ from Speaker Ford's style?
It
is pretty apparent that McCoy is much more open to input from the members
than Ford was. McCoy has allowed more floor debate than Ford ever did.
I think McCoy will go down as a good speaker for the time he will serve
in that position.
3.
What do you tell people about Mississippi when you travel to other states?
I
tell them that Mississippi is a place that God has thoroughly blessed.
Despite the current problems we have and the negative history we have
had to overcome, God has blessed us with resources and people to survive
and move forward.
4.
Who are your political role models?
My
greatest political role models are the late Mayor of Chicago Harold Washington
and former Mississippi State Senator Henry Kirksey. These two men epitomized
substance over style and were the true definition of statesmanship during
the turbulent transition period when African-Americans were given the
responsibility of political leadership in their respective states.
5.
What is the highlight of your legislative service?
Anytime
I can get legislation passed that I worked hard on, like the financial
literacy bill and the bill that makes it hard on drunk drivers to post
bail if a death occurs due to an accident they are involved in. I have
been very fortunate during my six years to have had significant legislation
passed that has and will make our state better.
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