House Resolution 55

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. RICHARD LEONIDAS REDMON, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on December 29, 2016, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Richard Leonidas Redmon, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Redmon was born on March 17, 1946, in Greenville, Mississippi, to Reverend John Frank Redmon and Amelita Galli-Curci Bragg Redmon, and he professed his faith in Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptized by his father at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, and now he enjoys the eternal peace described in Luke 2:29, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word"; and

WHEREAS, after he received his early education from the Greenville Public School System, he attended Tennessee State University, where he received a bachelor's degree in political science in 1968 and a master's degree in history in 1972; and

WHEREAS, in March 1970, Mr. Redmon joined an elite fraternity of airmen in the United States Air Force where he served with distinction until September 1981, and because of his heroic service and dutiful sacrifice, he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with Device, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with Device, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Devices, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat Device, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device; and

WHEREAS, additionally, in 1969, he was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Air Force while still a graduate student at Tennessee State University, and in 1971, he was elected the first African-American President of the Junior Officer's Council at Grand Forks Human Relations Commission representing Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, and was the first African American to serve on the city of Grand Forks Human Relations Commission representing Grand Forks Air Force Base; and

WHEREAS, upon leaving the military, Mr. Redmon worked in industry management for Frito Lay and Fleming Foods Corporation, and after he left that field, he worked for 27 years in three HUD Regional Offices in FHEO ranging from Texas to Kansas to Georgia from May 1987 until his retirement in 2014; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure at HUD, he was employed as an Equal Opportunity Specialist, Complaint Intake Analyst, Program Operations Division Director, Program Center Director, Regional FHEO Deputy Director, and at the time of his retirement, Senior Civil Rights Analyst; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Redmon was a true hero for his nation as well as his community, and he was given numerous awards and commendations as a testament to this fact, including the Outstanding Young Man of America by the Jaycees, a Gold Heritage life member of the NAACP, Vice President of the Kansas City Chapter of Blacks in Government in 1987, a special commendation in 1995 by Henry G. Cisneros, HUD Secretary, for his outstanding and professional response during the Oklahoma City disaster, the Life Membership Award from Blacks in Government in 2003, and awarded special commendation in 2006 by Alfonso Jackson, HUD Secretary, for his outstanding support of HUD's Disaster Mission from September 2005 until May 2006 that spanned Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated supporter of various charities and organizations, two particular ones held a special place in Mr. Redmon's heart, the Union Gospel Mission in Dallas, Texas, and Tennessee State University, his alma mater, in Nashville, Tennessee, and he was also the principal organizer and charter member and first President of the North Texas Chapter of Blacks in Government, which he started in 1989; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Redmon's passing signifies the much anticipated heavenly reunion in the sky with those who transitioned life to eternity before him, including his parents, and sister, Patricia Smith; and

WHEREAS, the memory of Mr. Redmon, a man held in the highest regard by friends and family as an inspiring and precious gift from God, will continue to refresh the hearts and memories of his beloved survivors: sisters, Amelita Galli Curci Ross and Jessalyn Miller Allen; brother, John Frank Redmon, Jr.; very special niece, Andrietta Redmon Jones; and a host of other relatives, friends and former co-workers; and

WHEREAS, we encourage the family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member in Revelation 21:4, wherein is recorded, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" and renewed in their faith that Mr. Redmon fulfilled 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 the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the lives of fine Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. Richard Leonidas Redmon, a gracious man who always put others before himself, loved his family and friends unconditionally, and worshipped the Lord God Almighty with all of his heart, bringing glory and honor to the State of Mississippi:

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. Richard Leonidas Redmon, 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. Richard Leonidas Redmon and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.