Senate Concurrent Resolution 514

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF RETIRED AIR FORCE MAJOR GENERAL PAUL A. HARVEY OF MADISON, MISSISSIPPI, THE FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE GAMING COMMISSION.

WHEREAS, retired Air Force Major General Paul A. Harvey of Madison, Mississippi, who regulated Mississippi's casino industry during the early 1990s as the first Executive Director of the State Gaming Commission, passed away on August 21, 2012; and

WHEREAS, a memorial service was held in the Jackson area and General Harvey was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors; and

WHEREAS, General Harvey, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, was born August 3, 1937. He spent 32 years on active duty in the United States Air Force where he flew 160 combat missions in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, and held numerous command positions throughout the United States, Europe, Africa and the Middle East before retiring in 1991 as a Command Pilot with over 5,000 flying hours; and

WHEREAS, following military retirement, General Harvey was an Executive in Residence and Assistant to the President of William Carey College and taught MBA studies in Management and Leadership. He was the Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission from 1993 through 1998 before becoming President and Chief Executive Officer of Signature Works, Incorporated. General Harvey founded his consulting company, PDH Associates, Inc., which provided consulting services to the gaming, hotel and resort industry. He was a charter member and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Responsible Gaming from 1996 through 2004. He served as an Independent Director on the Boards of Riviera Holdings Company, Inc.; Elixir Gaming Technologies, Inc.; Cadillac Jack, Inc.; PGIC, Inc.; and Vending Data Corporation. He served as the Compliance Officer for Dubai World, and was a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors; and

WHEREAS, dockside gambling was legalized in Mississippi in 1992 and the Gaming Commission became an independent entity the next year, relieving what was then the State Tax Commission of the regulatory role. The commission had 27 employees when General Harvey became Director in 1993. It has since grown to include 176 employees regulating 29 casinos with revenues topping $2 Billion annually, a benchmark General Harvey predicted early on; and

WHEREAS, Paul was a loving husband, father and brother. He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter Galyn, and leaves behind a large and loving family including his wife, Dorothy Allen Harvey of Madison; children, James (Stephanie) Harvey of Las Vegas, Nevada; Shannon (D.R.) Bozeman of Flora, Mississippi; Amy Milner of Ridgeland, Mississippi; and Paula (Henry) Morgan of Flowood, Mississippi. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Paul Harvey of Las Vegas, Nevada; Trey and Emma Bozeman of Flora, Mississippi; and Andrew, Patrick and Nathaniel Morgan of Flowood, Mississippi; brother, Neil (Tina) Harvey of Tampa, Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews and his beloved dog Gus. He remains deeply loved and will be dearly missed; and

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this decorated veteran and dedicated public servant who leaves a legacy of leadership to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the life and public service of retired Air Force Major General Paul A. Harvey of Madison, Mississippi, the first Executive Director of the State Gaming Commission, and extend our sympathy to his surviving family.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to the surviving family of General Harvey, forwarded to the Executive Director of the State Gaming Commission, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.