JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The Latest on the death of former Mississippi state Rep. Ed Perry (all times local):
5:10 p.m.
Funeral services are set for a former Mississippi lawmaker known for his strong oratory skills.
Ed Perry was 76 when he died Tuesday at his home in Oxford. He was an attorney and served as a Democrat in the Mississippi House from 1968 to 2000. Perry was chairman of several committees, including Appropriations.
Waller Funeral Home says services are 2 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Oxford.
Perry was known for reciting the “whiskey speech ,” written in the 1950s by a predecessor in the Mississippi House, Noah “Soggy” Sweat. The speech shows how a politician can advocate both sides of an issue.
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10:59 a.m.
A former Mississippi lawmaker known for his lively interpretation of a speech about legalizing liquor has died.
Ed Perry was found unresponsive Tuesday at his home in Oxford, according to Mississippi Democratic Party chairman Bobby Moak. He says Perry was supposed to join friends to socialize, and they checked on him after he didn’t arrive.
Perry was 76.
He served as a Democrat in the Mississippi House from 1968 to 2000 and was chairman of several committees, including Appropriations.
Perry was an attorney and powerful orator. He was known for reciting the “whiskey speech ,” written in the 1950s by a predecessor in the Mississippi House, Noah “Soggy” Sweat. The speech shows how a politician can advocate both sides of an issue.
Arrangements were pending at Waller Funeral Home in Oxford.
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