House Resolution 87

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, SERVICE AND LEGACY OF PHILANTHROPY OF MR. HARRY AUBREY MARTIN AND EXPRESSING SINCEREST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY, COMMUNITY 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. Harry Aubrey Martin to eternal rest on Friday, December 30, 2022, at the age of 97, as he made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and many friends throughout Northeast Mississippi and beyond; and

WHEREAS, the City of Tupelo and the entirety of Lee County, Mississippi, lost an astute businessman and community pillar with the passing of Mr. Martin, born on a farm in Quitman County on July 20, 1925, to the union of his late parents, Mr. Ed Martin and Mrs. Bessie R. Flemings Martin, 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, the sixth of his parents' nine children, Mr. Martin graduated from Quitman High School in 1942, and thereafter attended Mississippi State University for one year before answering Uncle Sam's call to patriotic service in 1943, at which time he enlisted in the United States Air Force, evidencing his allegiance to the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in a free democracy while serving his country during World War II, and upon the fulfillment of his sworn oath to faithfully defend the Constitution of the United States against foreign and domestic threats, he returned to Mississippi State University to complete his undergraduate matriculation with the attainment of his bachelor of science degree in agricultural administration in 1948; and

WHEREAS, the industrious Mr. Martin worked his way through his undergraduate years in the office of Dean E.B. Colmer, where his innate leadership skills were groomed to precision and placed on display as a visionary who seemed to understand the rhythm of life from an early age; and

WHEREAS, as fate would lend itself to following the divine blueprint of his life as designed by the grand architect of all creation, Mr. Martin's love, chivalry and affection made quite the amorous impression upon his high school sweetheart, the former Agnes Louisa Norris, who honored him with the gift of her heart and hand in exchange for his last name upon their entry into the sacred marriage covenant on July 30, 1948, and with whom he would spend the next 67 years of his life, until God, in his infinite and divine wisdom, deemed it necessary to dispatch his chariot angels to escort Mrs. Agnes' immortal spirit into Heaven's inner courts on May 11, 2015; and

WHEREAS, relocating to Tupelo with his bride on October 1, 1948, to serve as an assistant County Agent specializing in 4-H Club work, Mr. Martin's venerable work ethic and commitment allowed him to display a deft hand of excellence in organizing and promoting leadership among 4-H'ers, and winning state and national awards, which proved testamentary to his May 1956 selection as Secretary-Manager of the Community Development Foundation, a capacity wherein he served for 44 years, amassing a record of success as an economic developer; and

WHEREAS, instrumental in the location of more than 100 plants and expansions as well as the development of five industrial parks in Lee County, one of which is named in his honor, Mr. Martin's imprint throughout present-day Tupelo, has privileged him to receive numerous regional, statewide and national accolades, recognitions and meritorious awards, including: the selection of CDF's Lee County service area as one of the ten best examples of public/private partnership in the USA, by the National Business Alliance and the United States Housing and Urban Development, and CDF's recognition by the Ford Foundation equally; and

WHEREAS, possessing the ability to focus on "hands-on" projects, using diverse skill sets and talents and always coating them with "community ownership," Mr. Martin's zealous advocacy for community was the foundational bedrock of the RCDC movement in the 1950s, which became a national model, bridging the gaps between rural and urban citizens, shouldering a mantle of selfless service to Tupelo-Lee County, the State of Mississippi and to this country; and

WHEREAS, a member of Civitan, Master Mason and charter member and secretary/treasurer of the Tupelo Furniture Marketing Association, Mr. Martin was named Tupelo's Outstanding Man in 1959; and

WHEREAS, always cognizant of the words recorded in I John 3:2, "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." Mr. Martin furthered his spiritual commitment to kingdom building as a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where he served in numerous capacities during his faith walk; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed life's river to now stand upon the celestial shores in wonderment of Heaven's grandeur in glorious reunion with the kindred spirits of loved ones who transitioned before him, including his parents and beloved wife, the memories of Mr. Martin will continue to flourish in the hearts and minds of his survivors: his devoted daughter, Janet Martin; his nieces and nephews, and their families; and a host of friends, respecters of his purpose-filled life and his economic development family; and numerous other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage the Martin family to find solace from these words recorded in II Corinthians 1:3-4, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the monumental life of genuine individuals of Mr. Martin's caliber, whose life personified the heart of Christ, which struck a melodious chord with all he encountered along his earthly sojourn:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss, commemorate the life, service and legacy of philanthropy of Mr. Harry Aubrey Martin, and express deepest sympathy upon his passing to his family and friends.

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