Governor Kirk Fordice "Left An Indelible Mark" With His Charitable Gift Annuity

By Ron Robinson, President

The summer of 2004 began with a state funeral in Washington for President Ronald Reagan. It ended with a state funeral in Jackson, Mississippi for another great conservative, this time for Governor Daniel "Kirk" Fordice. Governor Fordice extended the Reagan Revolution to Mississippi when he served as the first elected Republican Governor since Reconstruction. Fordice's policies of fiscal responsibility and tax reduction helped create more jobs than any other governor.

Governor Haley Barbour noted at the funeral: "Being a businessman, [Kirk] called for and brought a common-sense approach to government, especially in financial and economic affairs. Blunt and outspoken, Kirk made clear what he thought mattered."

Governor Fordice served two terms from 1992 to 2000. He was the first Mississippi governor to win re-election. He was president of his high school student body, commander of his ROTC battalion, and quarterback of his football team. He was an engineering officer in the U.S. Army and an accomplished pilot. He built a successful construction company and served as the president of the Associated General Contractors, the trade association for the heavy construction industry in America.

The Governor was a loyal supporter of Young America's Foundation and the Reagan Ranch. He helped establish the Foundation's gift annuity program and actively participated in Rawhide Circle. The Governor visited the Ranch in April when he helped unveil "Freedom Wall."

Governor Fordice loved telling all within earshot of his support for the Reagan Ranch. He was an advocate of free enterprise, limited government, and strong national defense. He was a target of the liberal scorn after he asserted America was a Christian nation. Governor Fordice died prematurely on September 7th, 2004 at age 70 after a short battle with leukemia. Kirk Fordice followed Ronald Reagan in public life, and his own state funeral followed too soon after President Reagan's.

The Clarion Ledger noted, "he left an indelible mark" on Mississippi. Indeed, he left an "indelible mark" on all who had the honor to know him.