Bill Text: MS HR74 | 2022 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Fredrick (Fred) George Burns; commend his life and legacy upon his passing.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-03-18 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR74 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2022-HR74-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Watson
House Resolution 74
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. FREDRICK (FRED) GEORGE BURNS OF HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI.
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 September 15, 2021, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Fredrick (Fred) George Burns, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, friends and community; and
WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the City of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, lost a wonderful friend, loving father and dedicated community leader with the passing of Mr. Burns, who was born on June 19, 1953, in Hattiesburg to the late Johnnie and Alice Burns as the youngest of three children, 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, Fred Burns was a man of uncompromised faith and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior after joining St. Paul United Methodist Church as a youth, and was an active member of Sunday School and the United Methodist Youth Fellowship, and he now 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, he received his formal education at L.J. Rowan High School in Hattiesburg where his big personality, love of fashion and leadership abilities were on full display; and upon completion of high school he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany as a member of the medical corps; and
WHEREAS, after completing his military service, Fred enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi where he was initiated into the Delta Delta colony of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., on April 29, 1978, and graduated from the university with a bachelor's degree in business in 1979; and
WHEREAS, as a life member of his fraternity, he was passionate about social justice and equity in the community, which led Fred to seek an opportunity to serve as a member of the Hattiesburg City Council, to create and publish a newspaper, The Truth, and to work with the Forrest County chapter of the NAACP to encourage voter registration; and
WHEREAS, Fred was a hard worker and worked for many different employers including Courtesy Ford, McRae's and the United States Postal Service; he was an entrepreneur at heart who was a concert promoter and sports agent; and he loved sports and spent many hours coaching little league baseball; and
WHEREAS, now reunited with his older sister, Shirley G. Roberts, who preceded him in death, the memory of Mr. Burns, 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: his three sons, Fredrick Burns, Jr., Chris Burns and Justine Page, all of Hattiesburg; two daughters, Jasmine Burns and Layla Burns, both of Hattiesburg; one brother, John (Odessa) Burns of Chicago, Illinois; five beloved grandchildren, Kennedy Burns, London Burns, Zion Barnes, Zuri Barnes and Justine Page, Jr.; 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 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. Fred Burns 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. Fredrick George Burns, a gracious man who loved his family and friends unconditionally and worshipped the Lord God Almighty with all of his heart and soul, 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. Fredrick (Fred) George Burns, 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. Fredrick George Burns and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
