House Concurrent Resolution 1

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. GARY JUDE HARKINS 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 Saturday, April 24, 2021, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Gary Jude Harkins, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, born on December 28, 1941, to Mrs. Lilly Rambin Harkins and Mr. Joseph Emile Harkins in Natchitoches, Louisiana, Mr. Harkins, affectionately known as Honey, Dad, Pop, Big G, Mr. Gary and Smokey to his college friends, was the youngest of four children; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Mansfield High School, Mr. Harkins went on to attend Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, where he earned a bachelor of science degree; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Harkins began his career in real estate as a sales associate in May 1971, selling commercial real estate, and in the mid 1970s, he founded two successful companies: Harkins & Harkins Builders, Inc., which engaged in construction and development of single family homes and apartments, and Harkins Realty, Inc., a company that developed, leased and managed commercial real estate in Madison, Ridgeland, and Flowood; and

WHEREAS, for more than 40 years, Mr. Harkins formed several different partnerships and joint ventures with friends in real estate, as he and his son, Josh, successfully managed and operated the Harkins family group of companies for the past 24 years; and

WHEREAS, as a lifelong devout Catholic, Mr. Harkins was a founding member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Flowood in 1979, and built the first temporary church on Grants Ferry Road while in search of a permanent location, and because of his tremendous dedication to his church, he served on every building committee, parish council, and parish planning and development committee since the inception of St. Paul's, and also served as a commentator and usher for over 35 years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Harkins was well known as a respected and active member in the Mississippi Republican Party for more than 30 years, was a member of the Mississippi State Republican Executive Committee and Rankin County Republican Executive Committee from 1992 until 2020, where he served for 12 years as chairman, and he was also chosen to serve as a delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1992, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016, and over the years, he was asked to serve as Rankin County Campaign Chairman for numerous republican candidates from Presidents, United States Senators, Congressmen, Governors, Lieutenant Governors, and other statewide and county candidates; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Harkins was a former member of the Mississippi and Jackson Association of Realtors, a former member and director of both the Mississippi Homebuilders Association and the Jackson Homebuilders Association, and was director and vice president of the Jackson Apartment Association, and he served the State of Mississippi for four years as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Mississippi Development Authority under Governor Kirk Fordice, and was appointed by Governor Haley Barbour and Governor Phil Bryant to serve as a member of the board of directors of the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation and the Mississippi Development Bank; and

WHEREAS, though he had many notable successes throughout his lifetime, at the end of his life, Mr. Harkins profoundly claimed that his biggest responsibility and accomplishment was setting an example of Godly faith by leading his wife, children and grandchildren to establish their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and he taught his children the value of hard work, responsibility, determination, honesty, dignity and respect, which were the values he lived by and are what many of his friends remember him for today; and

WHEREAS, most importantly, Mr. Harkins lived his life for his family he loved so dearly, and the end of his life was no different as he was full of gratitude and joy to be surrounded by his devoted wife, Pam, and his four children who will always cherish their time together; and

WHEREAS, a distinguished man of great character, Mr. Harkins's outstanding devotion to his faith, family and community will always be remembered, and precious memories of time spent with him will hopefully continue to provide warmth, peace and comfort to his loved ones, and although he will be missed by many, his legacy will live on in the lives of those he touched over the years; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, such as his parents, Mrs. Lilly Rambin Harkins and Mr. Joseph Emile Harkins; and siblings, Janelle Harkins DeVargas, Mary Jo Harkins Merriman and Jerry Emile Harkins, the legacy of Mr. Harkins's indelible imprint upon our lives will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his loved ones, including the love of his life, Pam, with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage; children, Josh Harkins, Amy Gross, Beth Harkins and Paige Bray; grandchildren, Emerson and Carlysle Harkins, Tate, Henry and Lilly Gross, Avery and Jude Aldridge, and Alexandra and Wesley Bray; and a host of other relatives and dear friends; and

WHEREAS, throughout his life, Mr. Harkins was a prime example of the possibilities for our own lives if we but dare to think high, live up to our thoughts, and care for the needs of others, and he will forever be loved, cherished and missed by all who knew him, and since it is written in 2 Corinthians 5:8, that to be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord," his family and friends can find peace and comfort during this difficult time; and

WHEREAS, it is most fitting to recognize and commend the lives of extraordinary Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. Harkins, who certainly inspired everyone he met and whose life's light illuminated the path of hope for all he encountered along his earthly sojourn:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby honor the life and legacy of Mr. Gary Jude Harkins, and express sincere and 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. Gary Jude Harkins and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.