House Concurrent Resolution 87

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND SERVICE OF C.E. "RED" BAILEY, A RESPECTED HATTIESBURG LEADER AND CITIZEN, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, C.E. "Red" Bailey, born in Echola, Alabama, on January 20, 1933, departed this life on March 4, 2013, causing great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Red Bailey started his working career in Mobile, Alabama, with the Mobile Gas Company where he worked for 16 years and served as a union representative and then entered the construction field, working in Mobile and the Mississippi Gulf Coast area; and

WHEREAS, he moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in 1974 as the production manager at Miller Picking, now known as Johnson Controls, where he retired in 1981; and

WHEREAS, in 1980 Red and his wife Sydney purchased and restored the home of Judge John Tally in the Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood which became the Tally House Bed and Breakfast and they hosted many notable guests, including: Gloria Steinem, Maki Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi's grandson Arun, Doc Severinsen and Clarence Page through the University of Southern Mississippi Honors Lecture program; and

WHEREAS, Red was active in the Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood Association, donating his time and talents in the restoration of 30 homes and he led the efforts in the restoration of Walthall School; and

WHEREAS, in 1988 Governor Ray Mabus appointed Red to represent Forrest County on the board of the Pat Harrison Waterway District where he later served as interim executive director; and

WHEREAS, in 1997 Red was elected to the Hattiesburg City Council, representing Ward 4 until 2006 and during his tenure he was instrumental in many significant projects such as the renovation of the Saenger Theater, Hattiesburg Train Depot and the Hattiesburg Cultural Center and he was also involved in bringing the Kohler plant to Hattiesburg and assisted with the early planning stages of the Lake Terrace Convention Center; and

WHEREAS, following Hurricane Katrina, he was active in the recovery of Hattiesburg by working with FEMA to secure funding for the acquisition of generators to supply power to city facilities during that difficult time after the hurricane; and

WHEREAS, Red was an avid traveler, once attending Great Britain's Opening of Parliament by Her Majesty the Queen in 1995 as a guest of Tony Banks, House of Commons, one of Red's many diverse friends; and

WHEREAS, Red was recognized in 2011 for his leadership in the development of the Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood at an awards ceremony conducted by American Planning Association representatives who cited the Hattiesburg Historic Neighborhood as one of the Top Ten Great Neighborhoods in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Bailey is survived by his wife, Sydney Bailey; children, Glen Bailey, Glenda Bailey, Sharon Edwards, Kathryn Phillips, Wanda Brantley, Cheryl Kelly, David Bailey and foster son, Troy Lee, 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the life and exemplary service and leadership of outstanding citizens such as C.E. "Red" Bailey:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do herby commend the life, legacy and service of C.E. "Red" Bailey and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Bailey and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.