House Resolution 82

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND SERVICE OF MR. IRA S. POLK, JR., AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in II Corinthians 4:17-18, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal," and as such, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Ira S. Polk, Jr., to rest eternally, as he has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, the community of Moss Point, Mississippi, lost a wonderful friend with the passing of community pillar and former mayor, Mr. Polk, on Monday, March 4, 2019, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Polk, a lifelong resident of Moss Point and graduate of Magnolia High School, was grounded in the success of education, matriculating to postsecondary degree completion at Tougaloo College, Howard University Medical School of Allied Health and Auburn University's certified teacher program; and

WHEREAS, from his humble beginnings, Mr. Polk was instilled with the principles of service and how to champion the cause of equality, justice and right, which served as the impetus of his decision to devote his life in the service of his fellowman, which took on the form of his answering the call to patriot arms when he served in the United States Army Corps as a surgical technician, as well as being a drum major for civil rights to erase the blight of racial injustice in Moss Point; and

WHEREAS, after the completion of his military service, Mr. Polk returned to Moss Point, and cognizant of the words recorded in II Thessalonians 3:10 "that if any would not work, neither should he eat," he undertook several jobs throughout the course of his life in Jackson County, where he served as a science teacher and football, basketball and track coach at Moss Point High, and devoted 24 years as a coating chemist at Ingalls Shipbuilding and at various medical offices; and

WHEREAS, devoted to the betterment of the community, Mr. Polk, who served on the Singing River Hospital Board of Trustees and the Moss Point School Board, was elected to the office of Mayor of Moss Point in 1993, a role in which he used his influential rapport with both citizens and businesses alike to advance the greater good of the city, which resulted in: the construction of the Pelican Landing Convention Center; the naming of the Highway 63 bridge in honor of Vietnam War veterans, as the Vietnam Memorial Bridge; the institution of the annual Fall de Rah Festival; the passage of local and private legislation by the Mississippi Legislature that would generate additional revenue for the city through a three percent hotel tax, for each bed rented in hotels located in the city; and

WHEREAS, other notable stars on his crown of service give nod to his unmatched leadership and indomitable commitment to social obligation and civic duties, as indicated by his memberships and affiliations with such organizations as: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; Magnolia Elks Lodge #1354; NAACP; SCLC; Magnolia High School Alumni Association; and the Jackson County Democratic Executive Committee, for which he served as vice chairman; and

WHEREAS, in his transfiguration from mortality to immortality, Mr. Polk now adorns the spiritual raiment, awaiting the bridegroom's return in holy anticipation of that wondrous event recorded in Revelation 21:1-2 "And I saw a new Heaven and a new earth: for the first Heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband"; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to now stand upon the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Mr. Polk's indelible imprint will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors: his wife, Bessie Polk; children and grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage the family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member and be renewed in their faith that Mr. Polk fulfilled the purpose of his appointed time in adherence to 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 commend the life of a genuine and selfless individual such as Mr. Polk, whose life light illuminated the path of hope for all he encountered along this earthly sojourn:

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. Ira S. Polk, Jr., to whose family we express sincere and deepest sympathy upon his passing.

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