Thomas Norman Brooks

Thomas Norman Brooks (August 23, 1924 – September 23, 1992) was an American farmer and Democratic politician. He was a member of the Mississippi Legislature almost continuously from 1952 to 1985, when he was convicted and jailed for influence peddling. He also was the president pro tempore of the Mississippi State Senate from 1984 to his incarceration.

Tommy Brooks
President pro tempore of the Mississippi State Senate
In office January 1984 – June 6, 1985
Preceded by	Bill Alexander
Succeeded by	Glen Deweese
Member of the Mississippi State Senate
In office January 1968 – June 6, 1985
Succeeded by	Buddy Bond
Constituency	23rd district (1968–1972) 16th district (1972–1980) 30th district (1980–1984) 19th district (1984–1985)
In office January 1960 – January 1964
Constituency	17th district
Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the Leake County district
In office January 1952 – January 1960
Personal details
Born	Thomas Norman Brooks (1924-08-23)August 23, 1924 Walnut Grove, Mississippi
Died	September 23, 1992(1992-09-23) (aged 68) Leake County, Mississippi
Party	Democratic
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Battles/wars	World War II

Biography

Thomas Norman Brooks was born on August 23, 1924, in Walnut Grove, Mississippi.^[1] He graduated from Freeny High School and Millsaps College.^[1] He fought in the U. S. Army in World War II and received a Purple Heart.^[2] He represented Leake County in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1952 to 1960.^[3][1] He then became a member of the Mississippi State Senate, representing the 17th district in the 1960–1964 term.^[4][1] He returned to the Senate in 1968, and served until 1985.^[1][2] In 1984, he became the president pro tempore of the Mississippi State Senate.^[2][5] However, in 1985, he was convicted for influence peddling, and spent 2+1⁄2 years in a minimum-security prison in Alabama.^[2] He died on September 23, 1992, in Freeny, Leake County, Mississippi.^[2]