Gene Taylor Papers

Gary Eugene “Gene” Taylor was born on September 17, 1953. He graduated from Tulane University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. He served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve from 1971 to 1984 and achieved the rank of Petty officer, first class. He received the Commandant's Letter of Commendation for firefighting and a Letter of Commendation for saving the life of a crew member. He later did some post-graduate coursework at The University of Southern Mississippi. Taylor was elected to the Bay St. Louis City Council in 1981. He served Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties as a member of the Mississippi State Senate from 1984 to 1989. He ran for Congress in 1988, but was defeated by Larkin Smith. Gene Taylor was later elected to Congress in an October 1989 special election after the death of Congressman Larkin Smith. His constituency as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives included Mississippi’s 5th District from 1989-2003 and Mississippi’s 4th District from 2003-2011. Taylor was a Democrat with a conservative voting record and was a member of the Blue Dog Coalition during his terms in Congress. He served as a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and as the Chairman of the HASC Sea Power Subcommittee. He also served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Taylor served on the Shipbuilding Caucus, National Guard and Reserve Caucus, and Coast Guard Caucus.

Gene Taylor received many awards and honors during his political career, including: Guardian of Small Business Award, Watchdog of the Treasury, Inc., Challenge Champion Award, Gulf States Manufacturers Award, Frank Tejada Leadership Award, National Safe Boating Council Confluence Award, Salute to Congress Award, Minuteman of the Year Award, Big Stick Award, Admiral's Circle Award, Service Man of the Year Award, Truman Award, Pinnacle Award, Helping our Heroes Foundation, Hancock County Emergency Management Recognition, Military Family Congressional Champion Award, Appreciation of Support for Men and Women Who Serve in the Guard and Reserve, Bateman Award, Sonny Montgomery Award, Legislator of the Year Award, and the L. Mendel Rivers Award for Excellence.

Gene Taylor's final Congressional term ended on January 3, 2011, after representing the people of South Mississippi for over 21 years. Taylor settled in Bay St. Louis, MS and worked as a consultant before becoming Commissioner of the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission. He then transitioned to his current role as Director of Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. He is married to the former Margaret Gordon, and they have three children and several grandchildren.

Sources Used: Contents of collection, collection case file, https://www.linkedin.com/in/gene-taylor-aa360176 (Linkedin)