Bill Text: MS SC512 | 2022 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Remember legacy of former POW and Retired Air Force Colonel Carlyle "Smitty" Harris at U.S. Post Office dedication in his honor.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 10-6)
Status: (Passed) 2022-02-21 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC512 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2022-SC512-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) McMahan, Bryan, Barnett, Branning, Butler (38th), DeBar, England, Jackson (11th), McLendon, Michel, Seymour, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Sparks, Thompson, McDaniel
Senate Concurrent Resolution 512
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE LEGACY OF FORMER POW AND RETIRED AIR FORCE COLONEL CARLYLE "SMITTY" HARRIS AND EXTENDING THE CONGRATULATIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE TO SMITTY AND HIS FAMILY ON THE OCCASION OF THE DEDICATION OF THE UNITED STATES POST OFFICE IN TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI, TO BE NAMED IN HIS HONOR.
WHEREAS, legislation that would name a post office after this well-known Tupelo veteran has passed in the United States House of Representatives. U.S. Representative Trent Kelly announced the passage of H.R. 208, which will designate the United States Postal Service facility located at 500 West Main Street as the "Colonel Carlyle 'Smitty' Harris Post Office." The bill passed by a two-thirds recorded vote in the House; and
WHEREAS, we join the citizens of Tupelo, Mississippi, and all WWII Veterans in remembering the legacy of former POW and Retired Air Force Colonel Carlyle "Smitty" Harris who has written a book about his experiences at the Hanoi Hilton Prison Camp where his "TAP" code helped him and his fellow prisoners survive; and
WHEREAS, at the age of 36, Colonel Harris' F-105 fighter-bomber plane was shot down over North Vietnam on April 4, 1965. He was the sixth American to become a Prisoner of War at the Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the "Hanoi Hilton," where he taught his fellow prisoners a secret code they could use to communicate. Harris' tale of survival was detailed in his 2019 autobiography, "Tap Code"; and
WHEREAS, on December 5, 2021, Smitty and his wife, Louise, celebrated 60 years of marriage. The Harris family - Smitty, Louise, four-year-old Robin and three-year-old Carolyn, relocated to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, where Smitty Harris would fly the F-105 fighter-bomber plane. After he was shot down and taken prisoner by the North Vietnamese, Louise chose to move the family, which by then included baby son Lyle, to Tupelo because her sister lived there. "It was a wonderful, wonderful choice," 81-year-old Louise Harris said of making Tupelo their new home; and
WHEREAS, after a long and distinguished career in the United States Air Force, Harris completed law school and joined The Mississippi Bar in 1981; and
WHEREAS, "The closest to me in North Vietnam were my cellmates, but I've come to know others well in reunions," Smitty Harris said, "Most I didn't get to see face to face until we came home." Now their travels include a nationwide book tour which commenced November 9th in Tupelo, the place the Harrises call home; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Harris is a hero and role model in the Tupelo community. He has forgiven his captors and shown love to all human beings. His humility and courtesy are something to emulate. "Colonel Harris is a true war hero," Representative Kelly said in an official statement. "During the Vietnam War, he was held captive at the famous Hanoi Hilton for eight years, where he employed the "Tap Code" to communicate with his fellow prisoners. Despite the constant threat of torture, Colonel Harris taught other prisoners how to use the secret code"; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Harris' legacy is a strong and free America, and for this and for a lifetime of selfless service, a grateful state thanks him:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby pay tribute to the legacy of former POW and retired Air Force Colonel Carlyle "Smitty" Harris and extend the congratulations of the Legislature to Smitty and his family on the occasion of the dedication of the United States Post Office in Tupelo, Mississippi, to be named in his honor.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Smitty Harris and his wife Louise, forwarded to the Tupelo City Council and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
