Alan Nunnelee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alan Nunnelee
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 1st district |
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| In office January 3, 2011 – February 6, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Travis Childers |
| Succeeded by | Trent Kelly |
| Member of the Mississippi Senate from the 6th district |
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| In office January 1995 – January 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Roger Wicker |
| Succeeded by | Nancy Adams Collins |
| Personal details | |
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Patrick Alan Nunnelee
October 9, 1958 Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | February 6, 2015 (aged 56) Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Tori Nunnelee |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Mississippi State University |
Patrick Alan Nunnelee (born October 9, 1958 – died February 6, 2015) was an American businessman and politician. He served as a U.S. Representative for Mississippi's 1st district from 2011 until he passed away in 2015. Before that, he was a member of the Mississippi State Senate, representing the 6th district, from 1995 to 2011. He belonged to the Republican Party.
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Early Life and Education
Alan Nunnelee was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. He went to Clinton High School in Clinton, Mississippi, and graduated in 1976. After high school, he attended Mississippi State University (MSU), where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1980.
While studying at MSU, Alan faced a challenge: he started losing much of his eyesight because of an eye disease. Even though he was legally blind, he kept going with his studies. Luckily, his sight was later brought back after he received cornea transplants.
Business Career
After college, Alan Nunnelee worked for American Funeral Assurance Co. He eventually became the vice president of sales and marketing. His father also worked at the company and became its president and CEO.
In 1996, Alan and his father started their own companies: Allied Funeral Associates, Inc. and Allied Funeral Associates Insurance Company. Alan served as the Vice-President and a Director for both businesses. Before he started his political career, Alan was a popular speaker. He often talked about how his eyesight was restored, thanking God, organ donors, and groups like the Lions Club.
Mississippi State Senate
Alan Nunnelee began his political journey in the Mississippi State Senate. This is a group of elected officials who make laws for the state of Mississippi.
Becoming a State Senator
In 1995, the State Senator for the 6th district, Roger Wicker, left his position to become a U.S. Representative. Alan Nunnelee decided to run for the open seat and won the election.
Re-elections
- In 1999, he was re-elected for his second term without anyone running against him.
- In 2003, he won re-election for a third term, getting 69% of the votes.
- In 2007, he won re-election for a fourth term, with 66% of the votes.
Committee Work
While in the State Senate, Alan Nunnelee was part of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. This committee is important because it decides how the state's money will be spent.
U.S. House of Representatives
After serving in the Mississippi State Senate, Alan Nunnelee decided to run for a national role: a seat in the United States House of Representatives. This is part of the U.S. Congress, where laws are made for the whole country.
Elections for Congress
2010 Election
In 2010, Alan Nunnelee ran for the U.S. House of Representatives seat for Mississippi's 1st district. This was the same seat that Roger Wicker, his predecessor in the State Senate, had held.
- In the Republican primary election, Nunnelee won with 52% of the votes. He ran against Henry Ross and Angela McGlowan.
- In the main election in November 2010, Nunnelee won against the current U.S. Congressman, Travis Childers. Nunnelee received 55% of the votes, while Childers received 41%.
2012 Election
After some changes were made to the district boundaries, Alan Nunnelee ran for re-election.
- He faced Henry Ross (who was the mayor of Eupora, Mississippi) and businessman Robert Estes in the Republican primary.
- Nunnelee won the primary election in March 2012 with 57% of the votes.
2014 Election
Nunnelee ran for re-election again in 2014.
- He was the only Congressman in Mississippi who did not have an opponent from his own party in the primary election that year.
- He won the general election with a large majority, getting 68% of the votes.
Work in Congress
In 2011, Alan Nunnelee became a supporter of a bill called H.R.3261, also known as the Stop Online Piracy Act. This bill aimed to stop the illegal copying and sharing of online content.
Committee Assignments
As a U.S. Representative, Alan Nunnelee was a member of the important Committee on Appropriations. This committee decides how money is spent by the U.S. government. He was also part of several subcommittees within it:
- Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
- Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
Caucus Memberships
Alan Nunnelee was also a member of several "caucuses." These are groups of lawmakers who share common interests or goals. Some of the caucuses he joined included:
- Congressional Diabetes Caucus
- Congressional Prayer Caucus
- Immigration Reform Caucus
- International Conservation Caucus
- Sportsmen's Caucus
- Congressional Cement Caucus
- Congressional Constitution Caucus
Personal Life
Alan Nunnelee was a Southern Baptist. He married Tori Bedells, who was from Clinton, Mississippi. Tori graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi Nursing School. Together, they had three children.
Passing Away
In May 2014, Alan Nunnelee had brain surgery after doctors found a growth in his brain. He received treatments like chemotherapy and radiation and also therapy to help him with his speech and movement.
Alan Nunnelee passed away at his home in Tupelo on February 6, 2015, at the age of 56. After his passing, President Barack Obama shared a statement from the White House Press Office. He said that he and Michelle Obama were sad to hear about Representative Alan Nunnelee's death. President Obama mentioned that Alan had served the people of Mississippi for twenty years, first as a state senator and then in Congress. He also noted that Alan was a proud son of Tupelo and always worked hard for the people who trusted him, even while bravely fighting his illness. President Obama also highlighted Alan's strong faith as a Sunday School teacher and church deacon.
Funeral services for Alan Nunnelee were held on February 9 at Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo, Mississippi.
See Also
- List of United States Congress members who died in office
