HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.7

[By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Armstead,

On Behalf of all Members of the House]

[Introduced January 30, 2015]

            H. R. 7 – “Commemorating the life of Morris E. “Mike” Mowery, Jr. father, husband, lawyer, former Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, long time Judiciary Chief Counsel, General Counsel to the West Virginia House of Delegates, and distinguished West Virginian.”

            Whereas, That the members of the House of Delegates hereby express their profound sadness at the passing of one of their own, the Honorable Morris E. “Mike” Mowery, Jr., legislator, long-time legislative counsel, friend and passionate advocate for fairness and justice, and distinguished West Virginian; and

            Whereas, Mike Mowery was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, on January 31, 1942, one of six children born to Grace Newbanks Mowery and Morris E. Mowery; Mike was educated in the public schools of Wood County, West Virginia, and was a 1968 graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law; and

            Whereas, Mike Mowery and his wife, Marlene, met and married while attending West Virginia University and had two much adored children, Grace-Marie and Nathan, who have given them five adored grandchildren; and

            Whereas, Upon graduation from law school, Mike began a thirty-eight year legal career dedicated in all its permutations to helping the people of West Virginia, including work for the North Central Legal Aid Society, serving as assistant Wood County Prosecuting Attorney, and as a member of the House of Delegates from 1974 to 1978.

            Whereas, Once the good people of Wood County had decided that Mike had helped them enough, he accepted a position as Counsel for the House of Delegates, and then he oversaw the development of and then became the first counsel to, the newly created Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee. During his career as legislative counsel, which spanned some twenty-eight years, he conceived, drafted and edited much of the most significant legislation passed by the Legislature during that era; and

            Whereas, During his tenure as legislative counsel he tirelessly advocated for the House of Delegates, its prerogatives and positions, many times against that evil body sometimes respectfully referred to as “the State Senate.” He spent countless hours drafting legislation, often all night, to get it right and get it done when needed. He often quipped after receiving a major project that was on the agenda of the Judiciary Committee the following day, that the legislators needed to go home now, and the “bill fairy” would have the bill ready the next morning; and

            Whereas, He was the first employee of the Legislature to use a crazy new fangled thing called a computer, which he had purchased and brought to work so that all the staff and members could marvel at his new ability to easily edit his work, then watch as a printer, line by line, magically generated documents without anyone typing, just by the press of a button. He had a knack for technology, and oversaw the beginning, then the implementation of, the abandonment of the process of cutting and pasting handwritten and typed documents into bills, which had been the practice until then for the entire history of this state; and

            Whereas, Mike truly served as a mentor and role model for how legislative counsel should perform their duties for countless lawyers and interns over the years, greatly enhancing their professionalism. His appreciation for the legislative process encouraged many non-lawyers to attend law school. Mike was often called “the professor” or “Yoda” of the law; and, when he made presentations before committee, he seemed constantly all- knowing and unflappable even in the most stressful and difficult circumstances. When any given piece of legislation was being considered, citations from the Constitution and the Code sprang from his mind to expand and refine the discussion of the issues involved. His knowledge of constitutional law and statutory interpretation may never be replaced.

            Whereas, His support and concern for everyone who needed assistance never wavered, and he would listen to and discuss legislation with anyone who came by his office, the issues they were working on, often solving their problems or giving sage advice. He also successfully argued many cases before the State Supreme Court and in federal court on matters of legislative importance, including the separation of powers, redistricting, the process some affectionately named “the budget digest” and many others. His tireless efforts to advocate for this body were recognized when Mike received national recognition in 1997 from the Southern Legislative Conference, the Carter-Hellard Legislative staff award as the outstanding legislative staffer, for his continued advocacy efforts and the development of house attorneys in the many nuances of effective legal representation for the House;

            Whereas, Mike worked successfully under seven judiciary chairmen and five speakers, each with his own strong personality. In counseling his leaders, Mike always expressed his opinions vigorously. But once the policy decisions were made, his constant loyalty to his chairman and his committee came to the fore, and his skills were directed to making the adopted policies succeed.

            Whereas, All those who worked with Mike knew of his great affection for his family. He was an extremely proud husband and father, and all who came to his office, which at his behest was named the “Sibray Library” after his friend and Judiciary Counselor John Sibray, were often regaled by stories of his family, as Mike was never happier than when he was recounting some amazing feat of one of his children, he had much to be proud of, and then later when those children blessed him and Marlene with grandchildren, his stories turned to their latest accomplishments; and

            Whereas, It is insufficient to say he was a legend, a true character or unique personality, although these and other descriptions do apply. Those who did not have the opportunity to know Mike have missed the passing of a great human being; and all that did were enriched in the process. Through those whose lives he touched, he leaves many legacies, and Mike Mowery thus survives his death in more than memory; therefore, be it 

            Resolved by the House of Delegates:

            That the members of the House of Delegates hereby express their profound sadness at the passing of one of their own, the Honorable Morris E. “Mike” Mowery, Jr., outstanding member and Counsel of the West Virginia House of Delegates, and distinguished West Virginian; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the House of Delegates hereby commemorates the life and passing of Morris E. “Mike” Mowery, Jr., whose unique abilities touched the lives of many West Virginians; and who will be sorely missed by all that knew and loved him; and be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare certified copies of this resolution for the family of Morris E. “Mike” Mowery, Jr., including his wife, Marlene, his daughter, Grace-Marie, and son, Nathan.