Georgia-2009-HR1812-Introduced

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens with the passing of Mr. Joe S. Hatfield on June 21, 2008; and

WHEREAS, a native of Tennessee, Mr. Hatfield attended the University of Tennessee and earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture from Purdue University; and

WHEREAS, he served as a guardian of this nation's freedom and liberty with the United States Navy, valiantly and courageously protecting democracy and his fellow Americans during World War II in the Pacific theater as a ship's navigator, and earned the grade of lieutenant (junior grade); and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hatfield moved to Gainesville, Georgia, in 1951 where he served as co-owner and president of the Gainesville Fryer Company and later launched Fieldale Farms Corporation, a global provider of poultry products and the largest employer in Northeast Georgia with nearly 5,000 employees at various production sites; and

WHEREAS, a poultry industry expert, Mr. Hatfield was twice named to the USDA and United States trade representative's export policy advisory commissions, was the former chairman of the National Broiler Council, and made American trade missions to China, Iraq, Chile, and other export destinations around the globe; and

WHEREAS, his leadership was instrumental to numerous organizations, including the Poultry Industry Division of the Community Chest, Cumberland College, First Federal Savings and Loan Association, Brenau College Board of Trustees, the Chattahoochee Country Club, First Presbyterian Church, the Elks Club, the Kiwanis Club, Northeast Georgia Medical Center Hospital Authority, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and the Gainesville City Delegation of Citizen's Senate Delegation for Senator Paul Coverdell; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hatfield was honored with numerous awards and accolades, including the Distinguished Service Award from Brenau College and Gainesville Rotary Club 1993 Man of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Hatfield was united in love and marriage to Carrie McClain Hatfield, and was blessed with the support of his wonderful children, Joe and Rosalyn Hatfield and Betty and David Goldberg; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Mr. Hatfield will long be remembered for his love of family and friendship, and this loyal husband, father, grandfather, and friend will be missed by all who had the great fortune of knowing him.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Mr. Joe S. Hatfield and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of Mr. Joe S. Hatfield.