Senate Resolution 80

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING HARRY H. BONNER OF GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS GENERAL MANAGER OF DELTA ELECTRIC POWER ASSOCIATION AND RECOGNIZING HIS LEGACY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE.

WHEREAS, Harry Hall Bonner was born August 31, 1930, in Memphis, Tennessee, and moved to Greenwood, Mississippi, in 1940, attended Greenwood Public Schools and graduated in 1948 from Greenwood High School and thereafter received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1952 from Delta State University; and

WHEREAS, upon graduation he was employed by C.I.T. Credit Corporation in Greenville, Mississippi, in 1952, was promoted to Division Office Credit Manager in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1955, and then promoted to Branch Manager of the Greenwood office in 1958; and

WHEREAS, upon being offered the Memphis Branch Manager position of the corporation, Harry H. Bonner chose to remain in Greenwood and accepted the position of Office Manager at Delta Electric Power Association on January 16, 1961, was named Secretary-Treasurer of the association in 1973 and then in May 1985 was selected General Manager by the association's board of directors; and

WHEREAS, Harry H. Bonner has been, and continues to be, active as a member of St. John's United Methodist Church, having served on the official board three separate terms, as a trustee from 1982 to 1984 and as chairman of various commissions and committees; and

WHEREAS, he also has actively participated as a member of the Greenwood-Leflore Chamber of Commerce since 1959, having served on the Executive Committee on two occasions, and was chosen the Outstanding Chamber Member in 1979, elected President in 1989 and was also instrumental in securing National Accreditation Certification for the Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Harry H. Bonner, a Mason and Shriner, has worked actively and contributed as a member, officer and/or director of many civic and community organizations: the United Way, the Greenwood Foundation of the Arts, Chairman of the Annual Arts Festival, past Director and President of the Greenwood Country Club, Greenwood Lions Club member for forty-three years and Secretary-Treasurer for twenty-one years, and a member of the Greenwood-Leflore Industrial Board, the Greenwood Convention and Visitors Commission; and

WHEREAS, he also has served as a director of numerous state and national organizations: Mississippi Economic Council, Electric Power Associations of Mississippi, South Mississippi Electric Power Association and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association; and

WHEREAS, Harry H. Bonner served in many ways; he did so to improve his community and state for his fellow Mississippians, but more especially on behalf of his wife, the former Freida Tingle of Carrollton, Mississippi, his daughters, Dr. Judy Leake and Mrs. Sheila Bidwell, and his grandsons, Lee Bidwell and Bonner Hankins; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the career and dedicated public service of this fellow Mississippian:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Harry H. Bonner of Greenwood, Mississippi, upon the occasion of his retirement as General Manager of Delta Electric Power Association, recognizing his legacy of community service to his community and state, and wish him and his family success in their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Harry H. Bonner and his family, be forwarded to the Board of Directors of Delta Electric Association and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.