[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 1 (Thursday, January 3, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E3-E4]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF RETIRED MISSISSIPPI JUDGE JOHN ANDREW HATCHER, 
                                  JR.

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 3, 2019

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the retirement of one of Mississippi's most devoted citizens and public 
servants, the Honorable Judge John Andrew Hatcher, Jr. Judge Hatcher, a 
native of Sunflower, Mississippi, is retiring after a long and 
distinguished career.
  Upon graduation from Drew High School in 1966, Judge Hatcher 
continued his education at Delta State University. After graduating in 
1969, he attended the University of Mississippi School of Law where he 
received his Juris Doctorate. This began Judge Hatcher's impeccable 
legal career.
  Judge Hatcher began practicing law in Booneville, Mississippi, in 
November 1973. He also took up teaching as he taught a paralegal 
program at Northeast Mississippi Community College. This led to a 
passion advocating for public service. Judge Hatcher served as the vice 
chairman of the Mississippi Council on Children from 1977 to 1979, the 
Housing Specialist with the Governor's Office of Federal, State and 
Local Programs, Division of Housing Coordinator from 1978 to 1979 and 
the Director of Yocona Area Council of Boy Scouts of America from 1979 
to 1980.
  Judge Hatcher went on to serve as the county prosecutor for Prentiss 
County, Mississippi, from 1980 to 1995. He also served as

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the city prosecutor for Baldwyn, Mississippi and the city attorney for 
Marietta, Mississippi, from 1991 to 2006. During this time, he also 
began representing Farmington, Mississippi, as the city attorney. More 
recently, Judge Hatcher has served as the Chancery Court Judge of the 
First Chancery Court District of Mississippi for eleven years.
  Judge Hatcher's experiences have helped him serve in several 
leadership roles throughout his community. He was the president of the 
First Judicial District Bar Association. Along with the founding 
incorporator, director and secretary of Booneville-Prentiss County 
Parks, Inc. he currently serves as the founding incorporator, director 
and secretary of Brice's Crossroads National Battlefield Commission 
Inc. He is also the founding incorporator, director, and president of 
Lower Anderson Owners' Association Inc., and is also a very active 
member of Booneville First United Methodist Church currently on the 
pastor-parish relations committee.
  Judge Hatcher has had the love and support of his wife of 49 years, 
Kathy Hatcher. He has selflessly served the people of Mississippi for 
more than forty years. His devotion to God, America and his fellow man 
will always be remembered, and I wish him and his family many years of 
happiness.

                          ____________________