Senator Hillman Terome Frazier

Senator Frazier was born in Jackson, Mississippi.  He is a graduate of Jackson State University and George Washington University’s University National Law Center.  He successfully completed the “Program for Emerging Political Leaders” at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia in 1999. In 2000 he was nominated and selected to participate in the “Executive Seminar for Southern Legislators” at the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  In 2001 he was selected to participate in the “Governing in the Global Age Seminar” at the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.  He also studied as a Fannie Mae Foundation Fellow at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in 2001. A life-long learner, Senator Frazier graduated Summa Cum Laude from Hinds Community College on December 14, 2012, with a degree in “Automobile Collision Repair Technology.”

Senator Frazier’s legislative accomplishments are quite extensive.  In 1995, he led the Mississippi Legislature in ratifying the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution which abolished slavery in the United States of America.  The State of Mississippi refused to ratify the Amendment in 1865.  He also did the research and authored the Compulsory School Attendance and Public Kindergarten Bills, which became the cornerstone of the Education Reform Act of 1982.

Senator Frazier authored the bill, which made Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday an official state holiday in Mississippi.  As Chairman of the House Judiciary “A” Subcommittee, he successfully fought for the passage of the Mississippi Crime Victims Compensation Act, which compensates the victim of violent crimes up to $15,000.  He also authored and secured passage of the Landlord Tenant Act, which governs housing standards and rental agreements in Mississippi. During the 2006 Legislative Session, he fought for the passage of a law that removed breastfeeding from the indecent exposure and the disturbance the peace sections of the Mississippi Code.

Senator Frazier has been the recipient of many awards including the “Global Understanding and Cultural Advocate Award” by the Mississippi World Trade Center in 2014; the “Purple Peace Prize Award” by the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence in 2014; the “2013 Legislator of the Year Award” by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD); the “International  Humanitarian Leadership and Service Award” by the American Red Cross Mississippi Capital River Chapter in 2013; the “Humanitarian of the Year Award” by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators in 2012; the “Civic and Political Advocacy 4B Award” by the Phylaxis Society in 2012; the “Hometown Hero Shining Example Award” by the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2012; the “Public Service Award” by the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians in 2012; the “Legislative Leadership Award” by the Mississippi Nurses Association in 2010;  the “Delta Day at the Capitol Award” by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in 2009; “Heritage Award” for outstanding leadership and meritorious service by the Forward Lookers Federated Club of Mississippi in 2008; “Humanity In Nigeria Award” by the Centre for Women, Youth and Community Action, Lafia, Nigeria in 2008; “Legislator of the Year” by the Victims’ Right Foundation in 2007;“James L. “Jim” Bean, Jr. Health Care Leadership Award” for outstanding innovative legislative leadership in the mission to provide access to quality health care for all people of Mississippi in 2006; the“ACLU of Mississippi Award” for outstanding leadership in the Mississippi Legislature in 2006; the “Spirit of Service Award” for the support and passage of the Mississippi Breastfeeding Legislation in 2006; “The Political Service Award” by the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Alpha Delta Zeta Chapter in 2006;  “The Legislative Award” for dedication and commitment to preserving quality care for all Mississippians by the Jackson Ophthalmological Society in November, 2004; the “Crown of Peace Award” for exemplary leadership in reconciliation and peacemaking by the Inter-religious and International Peace Council in February, 2004; “The Ralph Bunche Award” by the Jackson State University International Festival in April, 2000; the “2000 Millennium Torch Award” by the Magnolia Bar Association in January, 2000; and the Long Distance Runner Award” by the National Association of Black Social Workers Jackson Chapter in February, 2000. 

In December 1997, he was recognized as “Legislator of the Year” by the National Black Caucus of Legislators and presented the prestigious “Service Award” by the Jackson Chapter of the National Association of Black Social Workers.  He was also awarded a “Certificate of Appreciation” by the Office of International Visitors of the United States Information Agency for “promoting international understanding between the United States and other nations of the world” in 1997 and 1995.