House Resolution 112

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LEONARD HENDERSON AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in II Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory," and as such, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of former Representative Leonard Henderson to rest eternally, on Saturday, March 4, 2023; and

WHEREAS, the Clarksdale Community of Coahoma County, Mississippi, lost a devoted public servant, revered educator, community activist and friend with the passing of Representative Henderson, born on September 15, 1944, in Clarksdale, to the late Ms. Bessie Henderson and Mr. Leonard Price, and raised by his late grandparents, Mrs. Georgia Hall-Coleman and Mr. Floyd Coleman, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan; and

WHEREAS, reared on the important tenets of educational success, spiritual fellowship and service to mankind, Representative Henderson received his formal education at W.A. Higgins High School, graduating with the class of 1963, and subsequently matriculating through his postsecondary education curricula at: Coahoma Community College, earning an associate of arts degree in health education in 1965; Jackson State University, earning a bachelor of science degree in physical education in 1967; Tennessee State University, earning a masters of education degree in health in 1972; and completing his postgraduate studies at Jackson State University, earning an education specialist degree in educational administration and supervision in 1980; and

WHEREAS, in fulfillment of the principles of service innately embedded in his lineal fabric, Representative Henderson's inaugural immersion into public service entailed his 1967 assumption of the role of athletic director and head basketball coach at Coahoma Agricultural High School, wherein during his three-year tenure, he amassed a 60-10 record before transitioning to recreation director for the City of Nashville's Metro Parks and Recreation Department in 1970, while simultaneously serving as a graduate assistant during his master's program at Tennessee State University until 1971; and

WHEREAS, Representative Henderson returned to his beloved Clarksdale in 1971 to once again serve Coahoma Agricultural High School, but this time as assistant principal and head basketball coach until 1974, building upon his proven record of athletic success with an additional 49-15 record before sharing his instructional and coaching acumen at the postsecondary educational level as assistant head basketball coach and assistant professor of physical education at Mississippi Valley State University until 1979, where his collegiate coaching statistics consisted of a

75-56 record over the course of five seasons; and

WHEREAS, before making a 14-year return to elementary and secondary education as principal of Clarksdale's Riverton Elementary School in 1982, Representative Henderson undertook several intermittent assignments at the postsecondary level, including serving as a graduate assistant and media specialist for the Crossover Project in the Office of Continuing Education at Jackson State University, and as director of special services at East Central Junior College; and

WHEREAS, fate would lend itself to being built in accordance with the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of his life by the Great Deity and grand architect of our lives' destiny, when his love, chivalry and affection pierced the heart of the former Miss Cal Couthern, and the duo became bone of one another's bone and flesh of one another's flesh after exchanging the nuptials of holy matrimony, building a lifetime of memories, and blessed with the fruitful addition of a son and daughter, into whose lineal fabric the embedded moral tenets of love, honor, integrity and the bountiful blessings of God's amazing grace and tender mercies, which was further shared with their progeny of four grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and

WHEREAS, in 1995, Representative Henderson, sought to expand his reach of public service by engaging in the rigorous process of seeking political office, which proved to be a timely and seamless transition upon the conclusion of his educational career with his successful bid for election to the Mississippi House of Representatives as State Representative of District 26, encompassing Coahoma County, and wherein he served for one term from 1996 through 2000, lending his intrepid leadership, analytical voice and methodical approach to state service on the House Committees on Agriculture, Education and Interstate Cooperation, while also managing the responsibilities as the City of Clarksdale's Director of Personnel/Safety from 1998 through 2000; and

WHEREAS, upon the conclusion of his brief yet effective career as an elected state official, Representative Henderson would conclude his career of public service in 2006 as a security specialist with the Department of Homeland Security before officially entering into retirement; and

WHEREAS, a God-fearing Christian before all other roles he assumed, Representative Henderson followed very closely in the fulfillment of his responsibilities as a loving husband and doting father, the standard-bearer of generosity, whose banner of excellence was attached to modesty and humble humility, was the living embodiment of a man who lived his life seeking the very heart of God by being of service to mankind as a member of Chapel Hill Missionary Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, deeply entrenched in his commitment to activism through political, social and civic engagement, Representative Henderson's professional and civic affiliations include: the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus; National Black Caucus of State Legislators; Mississippi Association of School Administrators; National Education Association, Clarksdale Association of Education; Commander of American Legion Post #203; Master Mason of M.W. Stringer Grand Lodge, Elks Lodge 556 I.P.B.O.E.W. of Clarksdale; board of trustees for Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center; vice president of the Coahoma County Chapter and member of the Board of Directors of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association; and president of the Greenville Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Alumni Association; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed life's river to reunite in glorious fanfare with his parents and grandparents, who transitioned to eternity before him, the legacy of Representative Henderson's indelible imprint will continue to refresh fond memories of his beloved survivors: devoted and loving wife, Cal Couthern Henderson; children, Brian James and Leonette Henderson; grandchildren, Khari Owens, Jessica James, Brianna James and Cameron Chatman; great-granddaughter, Uri Rose James; and a host of relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage the family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member and be renewed in their faith that Representative Henderson fulfilled the purpose of his appointed time in adherence to the commandment of II Timothy 4:7, by having "fought a good fight, finishing his course and keeping the faith until the hour of his departure was at hand"; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate to honor the life of a genuine and devoted public servant such as Representative Henderson, whose life's light illuminated the path of hope for all he encountered along this earthly sojourn:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of former Representative Leonard Henderson, to whose family we express sincere and deepest sympathy upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of former Representative Leonard Henderson and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.