RELEASE:
Cochran Commends Arthur F. “Skipper” Jernigan as Mississippi “Angel In Adoption”
For More than 40 Years, Jernigan has been an Advocate for Adoption in Mississippi
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today commended the work of Arthur F. “Skipper” Jernigan of Madison, who was honored in Washington on Wednesday as an “Angel in Adoption” for Mississippi.
Jernigan is Cochran’s nominee to be the recipient of the 2016 “Angels in Adoption” award. The “Angels in Adoption” program, which is sponsored by the nonprofit Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). Jernigan, an attorney with Jernigan Copeland & Anderson, PLLC in Ridgeland, has practiced in the area of adoption law for more than 40 years. He has handled hundreds of adoptions for Mississippi Children’s Home Services, other agencies and private parties.
“The legal process for adoptions can be daunting. Skipper Jernigan deserves commendation for being an advocate for children and families going through this process. His civic service also makes him worthy of recognition,” Cochran said.
Jernigan, a former University of Mississippi football standout and Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame inductee, was honor Wednesday night at the annual national gala celebration of advocates for children and family involved in adoption and foster care programs.
In addition to handling adoption cases, Jernigan has lectured at numerous conferences on adoption law and is recognized as a leading adoption attorney in Mississippi. Additionally, as part of his pro bono service to the Mississippi Bar and the Jackson community, Jernigan has represented indigent parties on behalf of Mission First in the area of adoption law and related matters.
Jernigan and his wife, Judy Lynn, are involved in church and civic volunteer activities, including Meals on Wheels and the Billy Brumfield House, an affiliate of Stewpot Ministries in Jackson, which serves the homeless and those with severe financial difficulties. Jernigan has served on the boards of many nonprofit organizations. He has also served nine years on the board of directors for Mississippi Baptist Health Systems and was named chairman of its Board of Trustees in January 2016.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan CCAI advocates for increased awareness about children in need of a stable home environment and supports eliminating barriers to adoption. CCAI, which does not receive government funding, was established in 2001 as an outgrowth of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. Cochran and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) are members of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption for the 114th Congress.
9/22/16
Magnolia Tribune
