Charlie Ross
Encyclopedia
Charlie Ross is an American
politician
and attorney
who lives in Brandon, Mississippi
. He served as Senator
from District 20 in the Mississippi Senate until 2007. District 20 comprises parts of Madison and Rankin Counties. Charlie was first elected to the Senate in 1997 after serving as the representative from District 59 in the Mississippi House of Representatives
. Prior to his legislative service, he served as the Chairman of the Rankin County Republican Executive Committee. In 2008, Ross ran for Congress in Mississippi's 3rd congressional district
, but was defeated in the primary by Rankin County Republican Chairman Gregg Harper
.
In the Senate, Charlie served as Chairman of the Judiciary A Committee, which handles a wide variety of legislative issues including civil justice matters. He also served on the Constitution, Elections, Environmental Protection, Executive Contingent Fund, Finance, Insurance, and the Veteran and Military Affairs committees.
In 2004, as Chairman of the Judiciary A Committee, Charlie drafted the Comprehensive Tort Reform
Bill and was the leader in the Senate in the successful fight to pass the bill. Senator Merle Flowers (R-DeSoto) says, "Senator Charlie Ross’ leadership and knowledge of our civil justice system was crucial in the tort reform fight. Charlie knew what needed to be done, and he knew how to do it. Mississippi
is fortunate to have a leader of his character and ability in the Senate."
In recognition of his leadership on the tort reform issue, the American Tort Reform Association
(ATRA) presented him with the prestigious Civil Justice Achievement Award. Senator Ross also served as the Public Sector Chairman of the Civil Justice Task Force of the American Legislative Exchange Council
(ALEC), a national organization of state legislators and private sector members. In 2007, ALEC recognized Senator Ross' legislative accomplishments and leadership by naming him Legislator of the Year. In 2007 the U.S. Chamber awarded Senator Ross its Legislative Achievement Award due to his leadership on a national basis in the field of legal reform.
According to Senator Ross, "The tort reform bill was landmark legislation that restored balance and credibility to Mississippi’s civil justice system. It is now being held out as a model for other states. I am very proud of what we accomplished, and feel privileged to have been a part of it."
In 1988 Charlie obtained his J.D., with honors, from Harvard Law School
. In addition to his Senate duties, Charlie maintains a full law practice, concentrating on civil litigation. He is a shareholder in the Jackson law firm of Wise Carter Child and Caraway. He is admitted to practice before all Mississippi courts
, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Charlie is a 1978 distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy
, with a B.S. in economics
. After the Academy, he served on active duty as a fighter interceptor pilot. In 1991, he was activated and served as a C-141 pilot during Operation Desert Storm with the Mississippi Air National Guard
. Charlie has been a strong and effective leader on veterans and military support issues. In 2007 the National Guard Association awarded him the prestigious Charles Dick Award for his legislative leadership in securing much needed tax relief for Mississippi guard members.
Charlie grew up and attended high school in Eupora
, Webster County, Mississippi
. He and his family currently live in Rankin County, where he is active in numerous civic and community organizations. He and his family are members of Lakeside Presbyterian Church, where he serves as a Sunday school teacher.
Charlie and his wife, Sharon, have three sons: Andy, David, and Steven.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and attorney
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
who lives in Brandon, Mississippi
Brandon, Mississippi
Brandon is a city in Rankin County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 16,436 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Rankin CountyBrandon is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
. He served as Senator
State Senator
A state senator is a member of a state's Senate, the upper house in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a legislator in Nebraska's one house State Legislature.There are typically fewer state senators than there are members of a state's lower house...
from District 20 in the Mississippi Senate until 2007. District 20 comprises parts of Madison and Rankin Counties. Charlie was first elected to the Senate in 1997 after serving as the representative from District 59 in the Mississippi House of Representatives
Mississippi House of Representatives
The Mississippi House of Representatives is the lower house of the Mississippi Legislature, the lawmaking body of the U.S. state of Mississippi....
. Prior to his legislative service, he served as the Chairman of the Rankin County Republican Executive Committee. In 2008, Ross ran for Congress in Mississippi's 3rd congressional district
Mississippi's 3rd congressional district
Mississippi's 3rd congressional district covers central portions of state and stretches from the Louisiana border in the west to the Alabama border in the east....
, but was defeated in the primary by Rankin County Republican Chairman Gregg Harper
Gregg Harper
Gregory "Gregg" Harper is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes the wealthier portions of the state capital, Jackson, along with most of that city's suburbs. Other cities in the district include Meridian and Natchez.-...
.
In the Senate, Charlie served as Chairman of the Judiciary A Committee, which handles a wide variety of legislative issues including civil justice matters. He also served on the Constitution, Elections, Environmental Protection, Executive Contingent Fund, Finance, Insurance, and the Veteran and Military Affairs committees.
In 2004, as Chairman of the Judiciary A Committee, Charlie drafted the Comprehensive Tort Reform
Tort reform
Tort reform refers to proposed changes in common law civil justice systems that would reduce tort litigation or damages. Tort actions are civil common law claims first created in the English commonwealth system as a non-legislative means for compensating wrongs and harm done by one party to...
Bill and was the leader in the Senate in the successful fight to pass the bill. Senator Merle Flowers (R-DeSoto) says, "Senator Charlie Ross’ leadership and knowledge of our civil justice system was crucial in the tort reform fight. Charlie knew what needed to be done, and he knew how to do it. Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
is fortunate to have a leader of his character and ability in the Senate."
In recognition of his leadership on the tort reform issue, the American Tort Reform Association
American Tort Reform Association
The American Tort Reform Association , founded in 1986, is an organization that advocates for tort reform. Its membership consists of more than 300 businesses, corporations, municipalities, associations, and professional firms....
(ATRA) presented him with the prestigious Civil Justice Achievement Award. Senator Ross also served as the Public Sector Chairman of the Civil Justice Task Force of the American Legislative Exchange Council
American Legislative Exchange Council
The American Legislative Exchange Council is a politically conservative 501 non-profit Policy Organization, consisting of both state legislators and members of the private sector. ALEC's mission statement describes the organization's purpose as the advancement of free-market principles, limited...
(ALEC), a national organization of state legislators and private sector members. In 2007, ALEC recognized Senator Ross' legislative accomplishments and leadership by naming him Legislator of the Year. In 2007 the U.S. Chamber awarded Senator Ross its Legislative Achievement Award due to his leadership on a national basis in the field of legal reform.
According to Senator Ross, "The tort reform bill was landmark legislation that restored balance and credibility to Mississippi’s civil justice system. It is now being held out as a model for other states. I am very proud of what we accomplished, and feel privileged to have been a part of it."
In 1988 Charlie obtained his J.D., with honors, from Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
. In addition to his Senate duties, Charlie maintains a full law practice, concentrating on civil litigation. He is a shareholder in the Jackson law firm of Wise Carter Child and Caraway. He is admitted to practice before all Mississippi courts
Supreme Court of Mississippi
The Supreme Court of Mississippi is the highest court in the state of Mississippi. It was created in the first constitution of the state following its admission as a State of the Union in 1817. Initially it was known as the "High Court of Errors and Appeals." The Court is an appellate court, as...
, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Charlie is a 1978 distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
, with a B.S. in economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
. After the Academy, he served on active duty as a fighter interceptor pilot. In 1991, he was activated and served as a C-141 pilot during Operation Desert Storm with the Mississippi Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
. Charlie has been a strong and effective leader on veterans and military support issues. In 2007 the National Guard Association awarded him the prestigious Charles Dick Award for his legislative leadership in securing much needed tax relief for Mississippi guard members.
Charlie grew up and attended high school in Eupora
Eupora, Mississippi
Eupora is a city in Webster County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 2,326 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Eupora is located at ....
, Webster County, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
. He and his family currently live in Rankin County, where he is active in numerous civic and community organizations. He and his family are members of Lakeside Presbyterian Church, where he serves as a Sunday school teacher.
Charlie and his wife, Sharon, have three sons: Andy, David, and Steven.
External links
- CharlieRoss.com - Campaign Website
- Winning the Tort War in Mississippi: Keys for Success in other States [PDF]