Bob Dearing facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bob Dearing
Member of the Mississippi Senate
In office January 20, 2016 – January 7, 2020
Preceded by	Melanie Sojourner
Succeeded by	Melanie Sojourner
Constituency	38th district (1980–1981) 37th district (1981–2012; 2016–2019)
In office January 1980 – January 2012
Succeeded by	Melanie Sojourner (37th district)
Personal details
Born	(1935-01-26)January 26, 1935 Natchez, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	July 30, 2020(2020-07-30) (aged 85) Natchez, Mississippi, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Shelley Paige Ditzler
Children	3
Alma mater	Delta State University (BS) University of Southern Mississippi (MEd)
Signature
Military service
Branch/service	United States Army Mississippi National Guard
Years of service	1958–1964

Robert Montgomery Dearing (born January 26, 1935 – died July 30, 2020) was an American politician. He was also an educator and a businessman. Bob Dearing served in the Mississippi Senate, which is part of the state's government. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Dearing grew up in Natchez, Mississippi. He went to college at Delta State University and the University of Southern Mississippi. In the 1970s, he started getting involved in politics. He ran for a local position but didn't win at first.

In 1979, he was elected to the Mississippi Senate. He served for many years until he lost an election to Melanie Sojourner. However, Dearing later ran against Sojourner again and won. He then decided not to run for re-election in his final term.

About Bob Dearing's Early Life and School

Robert Montgomery Dearing was born on January 26, 1935. His parents were Weenonah Montgomery and Robert V. Dearing. He was born in Natchez, Mississippi.

He went to Natchez High School. After high school, Dearing served in the military. He was in the Mississippi National Guard from 1958 to 1961. Then, he served in the United States Army from 1961 to 1962. He returned to the National Guard from 1962 to 1964.

From 1953 to 1957, he studied at Delta State Teachers College. He earned a bachelor's degree in education. In 1965, he got his master's degree in school administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Dearing worked as a teacher and coach in Natchez public schools from 1958 to 1964. He was also an elementary school principal from 1965 to 1966.

In 1966, the Natchez Jaycees named Dearing "Outstanding Young Man of the Year." Later, in 1997, Delta State University honored him as their "Outstanding Alumnus."

Bob Dearing married Shelley Paige Ditzler. They had three children together.

Bob Dearing's Political Career

Serving His Local Community

In 1971, Dearing first ran for a seat on the Adams County Board of Supervisors. This board helps manage local government in the county. He ran for the 2nd district but lost to A. Boyd Sojourner. He ran against Sojourner again in 1975 and was defeated.

Later, in 1981, Dearing was elected to serve on the Delta State University Foundation Board of Directors for three years.

Time in the Mississippi Senate

How He Was Elected

The 37th district of Mississippi from 1991 to 2001.

On August 7, 1979, Bob Dearing won the Democratic Party's nomination for a seat in the Mississippi State Senate. This was for the 38th district. He then won the main election.

In 1983, he was re-elected for the 37th district. He won against Republican Jack Templeton. He won re-election again in 1987. In 1991, he was re-elected without anyone running against him.

In 1995, he won the Democratic primary election. Then he defeated Republican Erle Drane in the general election. He won re-election again in 1999. In 2003 and 2007, he was re-elected without any opponents.

In the 2011 election, Dearing lost to Republican Melanie Sojourner.

However, in 2015, Dearing ran against Sojourner again. He won by a very small number of votes: 8,218 to 8,154. Sojourner questioned the election results. But on January 18, 2016, the Mississippi Senate voted to officially seat Dearing. He was sworn into office on the same day.

On January 3, 2019, Dearing announced he would not run for re-election. Melanie Sojourner won the election to take his place. She started her term on January 7, 2020.

What He Did in Office

During his time in the Senate, Dearing held many important roles. In 1984, he became the vice chairman of the Corrections committee. This committee deals with prisons and justice. In 1988, he was made chairman of the Municipalities committee, which focuses on city and town issues.

He also led the Forestry committee in 1992 and the Fees and Salaries committee in 1993. In 1996, he became chairman of the Environmental Protection, Conservation and Water Resources committee. This committee worked on protecting nature and water.

In 2000, he was chairman of the Highways and Transportation committee. In 2004, he led the Oil, Gas and Other Minerals committee. In 1997, he was also appointed to the Southern States Energy Board.

In his last term, starting in 2016, he was the vice chairman of the Public Property committee.

His Death

Bob Dearing passed away in Natchez, Mississippi, on July 30, 2020. He was 85 years old. He was buried in the Natchez City Cemetery on August 8.

His Ideas and Laws He Supported

Bob Dearing was known for his political views and the laws he helped create. In 1980, he received a perfect score from the League of Women Voters. This group encourages people to vote and helps them understand politics.

In 1984, he wrote a resolution asking CBS not to cancel "The Mississippi." This TV show was filmed in Natchez. The Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives both agreed with his request.

In 1997, Dearing supported a law called "Motor Voter" legislation. This law makes it easier for people to register to vote when they get their driver's license.

Laws About Animals

In 2006, Dearing introduced a law to protect cats. Before this, Mississippi's animal cruelty law only covered dogs. His new law included cats too, and it passed.

He also wanted to make animal cruelty a serious crime (a felony) if someone hurt animals three times. At the time, only dog fighting or poisoning animals could be charged as felonies.

In 2010, Dearing tried to pass a law to stop deer hunting with dogs in the Homochitto National Forest. However, this law did not pass.

Laws About Gambling

In 1990, Dearing introduced a law to allow riverboat gambling on the Mississippi River. This meant people could gamble on boats. The Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives both voted for the law.

On March 20, Governor Ray Mabus signed the law. Riverboat gambling became legal in Mississippi on April 1.

Laws About Religion

In 1987, Dearing supported a resolution asking the U.S. Congress to allow prayer in schools.

In 1994, he voted for a law that would allow prayer at school events. This was only if the students themselves started the prayer.

Laws About Taxes

In 1990, Dearing and other senators proposed a law to increase the sales tax. They wanted to raise it from 6 cents to 7 cents. The extra money would be used to improve education. The Mississippi Senate voted in favor of this law.

In 1995, Dearing voted against a change to the state's constitution. This change would stop courts from forcing tax increases. However, the change was approved by voters later that year.

In 2006, Dearing voted to raise the tax on cigarettes. The law also aimed to lower the sales tax on groceries over several years. Governor Haley Barbour vetoed this law. The Senate tried to overrule the veto, but they didn't have enough votes.

How He Voted in Elections