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Bill Allain: "The People's Governor"Eulogy delivered by Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley

December 6, 2013Mississippi State Capitol

Jackson, Mississippi

Methuselah lived to be 969 years old, as we know from our sacred scriptures. But allour Bible says about him is that "he died". He lived, he died. What a sad commentaryon that extra long life. Bill Allain lived 85 years, and there is so very much that we cansay about this great man. He packed 969 years of living and doing into his 85.Truthfully, though, the real value of a person's life is never what he or she "gets"in

years or materials things, it is always what he or she gives. Our dear friend andGovernor Bill Allain always gave to others and he never quit giving.

Personally, he gave so much to me as a mentor, advisor and friend. I was just a young,inexperienced boy from a small town in the Appalachian corner of our state when Ifirst met this good man during a statewide political campaign in 1999. I was simplyshocked that a former Governor would even take time to talk to me, much less listen tomy thoughts and ideas. His kindness, deep Christian faith and quick draw on a

political or legal issue was evident the very first time I met him.

He was the first person to encourage me to run for mayor of my hometown, and heeven wrote an endorsement quote for my very first campaign cards. I was 23 years old,

wet behind the ears and green as a gourd when I took office, but he became myconstant advisor. Yes, that's right, the former Governor of our great state would spendcountless hours helping me learn to be a good mayor. Well, truthfully, he more or lessTOLD me how to be a good mayor. As with many of you, he was never shy aboutgiving me his opinion on just about any subject. He detested closed door, back roommeetings in government and made sure I knew from the outset that the people's

business should be done in the bright light of day. I carry those lessons from him withme daily. He continued through his very last days on this earth being a mentor,advisor and friend to anyone he met. Bill Allain gave both his time and his mind to us.

He also gave us an enduring political philosophy that I know will survive him for ages.One that I call "Allainism". You see, he gave us all, elected officials and citizens alike, agreat yard stick by which to measure state government.

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First in "Allainism" is passion. Bill Allain, as both Attorney General and Governor,had raw passion for doing what was right. He had unmitigated passion for makingsure that the working men and women of Mississippi were represented in this greatbuilding. He made it his business to speak for those who couldn't give a campaign

contribution or hire a lobbyist. He stood for the Mississippians who would feelawkward and out of place at some cocktail party or whose names will never appear inthe rolodex of a political or corporate bigwig.

There is a great story about when Governor Allain was Attorney General and a majorcorporate attorney called and asked him to come to lunch at the University Club, in anobvious ploy to lobby Allain. Governor Allain simply replied, "If you want to see me,

you can come over to the Attorney General's office." He never wanted to be, nor washe ever, a slick political "wheeler and dealer".

Second in "Allainism" is pure guts. Guts to take on the powerful. Guts to walk out ofclosed door meetings. Guts to stand alone. It gets glossed over in the media when it'sstated that Governor Allain "strengthened the executive branch". What doesn't getexplained is what sheer guts it took to do that. What isn't told is that he had to file suitagainst the most powerful of the powerful within the legislature, the very body that sethis budget. Many friends told Governor Allain that his action to remove thoselegislators from boards and commissions was political suicide because he was fightingthe good ole boys. He didn't back down one bit. He would charge hell with a squirtgun, as we would say back home in the Hill Country.

His battle to lower unreasonable utility rates saved Mississippians millions and he didit in a way that put the public interest first. His work as both Attorney General andGovernor changed both of those offices forever. His brilliant mind, spine of steel andcare for the common man set him apart from many who have served longer or ingreater offices in this country.

At the core of "Allainism" is deep faith in the Lord above and love for your fellowman. Bill Allain loved people regardless of their financial status, race, creed orpolitical party. He boldly moved African-Americans and women into state governmentlike never before in our state's history. He deeply believed in equality and that our

state only moved forward when all of God's children were able to participate in theirgovernment.

Behind all of these great accomplishments was a human being. Much can be said ofthe quick wit of Governor Allain. He explained his fear of flying by citing that Bible

verse "Lo, I will be with you always". Governor Allain would say "The Lord didn't sayanything about up in the air, He said "Lo, I will be with you". Along with his quick witthere was a penny pinching side too. Once when his dear friend Tom Childs visited

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the Governor's Mansion, Allain told the chef to go on home that he would figure outsomething for them to have for supper. He did alright. Peanut butter and jellysandwiches in the kitchen of the mansion! Someone once complained about therenot being much food at the mansion when he left office because of his penny pinching

ways. He replied "The cupboards may be bare, but the state treasury is full!"

Because he never wanted to lose touch with average Mississippians or ever seem toogood to talk to a citizen, he would actually answer the phone at the mansion at night.One night about ten o'clock the phone ran and it was a lady with a complaint aboutillegal moonshining in a small Pine Belt county. She asked to speak to the Governor.

Allain told her she was speaking to him, and asked what he could do for her. Sheexplained the illegal moonshining to him and he told her she should call the Sheriff.The lady said "He won't do nothing". Governor Allain then suggested she call thecounty attorney. The lady said "He's the Sheriff's cousin so that won't do any good."He then suggested she call the Commissioner of Public Safety, Jim Roberts. He added

"Wait until after 8 o'clock in the morning though. Don't call him tonight." Sheimmediately replied "Well of course...I would never think of calling someone thatimportant at this time of night."

Governor Allain was known for his brilliant mind, his passion, his guts and his wit. Heremarked once that his sign outside an early law office in Natchez would be all he

wanted on his tombstone. The sign directing people to his second story office simplysaid "Bill Allain, Lawyer, Upstairs". Today as we say goodbye to this giant of a man, weknow that so much more could be added. Bill Allain, fighting Attorney General. Bill

Allain, caring and compassionate Governor. Bill Allain, trailblazer for inclusion of

minorities and women in state government. Bill Allain, brilliant constitutional lawyer.Bill Allain, follower of Jesus Christ. Bill Allain, a Governor who spent Thanksgivingand Christmas serving the poor without a photo op or press conference. But onething is for sure...Governor Bill Allain is upstairs!

Lord, bless this great man and let him know how much he has meant to all of us.Thank you for sending him our way.