House Resolution 117

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. ERIC LANDREAL "ABDUL JALEEL" DIXON AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is with great sorrow and reverence that we mark the passing of Mr. Eric Landreal "Abdul Jaleel" Dixon, a native of Crystal Springs, Mississippi, who transitioned from this earthly life unexpectedly, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, brotherhood, and service; and

WHEREAS, born on March 20, 1980, Eric was the cherished son of Minister Bobby Dixon and Christine Dixon and a product of Copiah County schools, graduating from Hazlehurst High School before attending the historic Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in political science and later received a paralegal degree; and

WHEREAS, at Tougaloo College, Eric pledged the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in the spring of 1999, forever linking arms with eight other men as part of the legendary line known as the "Nine Nubian Nightmares," and as such, he was a faithful and loyal brother who embodied the aims of manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind; and

WHEREAS, Eric was a gentle giant — soft-spoken but powerful in spirit — a man of deep conviction and unwavering faith who worshipped at Masjid As-Salaam and lived a life guided by purpose and principle; and

WHEREAS, a devoted husband to Erica Franklin-Dixon, Eric was a loving father to their nine beautiful children, Nasir, E'lyn, Eiliyah, Emir, Emran, Edris, Ezra, Enisa, and Elena, and he also carried in his heart the memory of his beloved daughter, Aminah Therica Dixon, and two children lost during pregnancy, all of whom he now joins in eternal rest; and

WHEREAS, Eric's life was a reflection of commitment to his family and faith and to uplifting his community, and he will be remembered not only as an outstanding husband, father, and brother, but also as a steady presence whose kindness, wisdom, and strength left a lasting impression on all who knew him; and

WHEREAS, those who grieve Eric's passing do so with the comfort of knowing that he lived a life full of purpose, love, and legacy, and while his brothers of the Nine Nubian Nightmares mourn deeply, they also celebrate the unique bond they shared — a bond forged in the halls of Tougaloo and sealed in the eternal spirit of Alpha Phi Alpha; and

WHEREAS, it is most appropriate that the Mississippi House of Representatives pay tribute to such a distinguished and remarkable son of Mississippi as Mr. Eric Landreal "Abdul Jaleel" Dixon, a devoted family man, man of faith, and fraternity brother who lived his life to the fullest in service to his fellow man, and commend his memory to the annals of Mississippi history as one worthy of honor and remembrance:

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 Mr. Eric Landreal "Abdul Jaleel" Dixon, and extend our deepest sympathy to his beloved wife, children, family, fraternity brothers, and all who were touched by his life upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Eric Landreal "Abdul Jaleel" Dixon, the Gamma Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.