Bill Text: MS SC548 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Mississippi Senate Concurrent Resolution 548 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Mourn the loss of longtime State Representative Esther Harrison.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-4)

Status: (Passed) 2016-02-26 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC548 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2016-SC548-Enrolled.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2016 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Turner, Barnett, Blackmon, Butler, Frazier, Horhn, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Witherspoon, Blount, Burton, DeBar, Fillingane, Jolly, Parker, Stone

Senate Concurrent Resolution 548

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO THE SURVIVING FAMILY OF LONGTIME STATE REPRESENTATIVE ESTHER HARRISON.

WHEREAS, Mississippi State Representative Esther Harrison, D-Columbus, will be remembered as someone who worked for her constituents without seeking the spotlight for herself. Representative Harrison passed away on her 69th birthday on June 10, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Representative Harrison was elected to the Legislature in November 1999 and took office in January 2000 to represent District 41, which is entirely in Lowndes County. The Columbus native was a former Teacher and Business Administrator. Republican Governor Phil Bryant said he and his wife, Deborah, were saddened to learn of Harrison's death. Rickey Cole, Chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party, said Harrison leaves a "legacy of service" that improved the state. "She worked quietly and effectively for the people of her district, never seeking fanfare or the spotlight"; and

WHEREAS, Harrison was Chair of the House State Library Committee in the 2008-2012 term and was Vice Chair of the committee this term (2012-2016). She also served on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. Esther was a past Co-Chair for the House Democratic Caucus. Harrison was an Eastern Star and a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, the Lowndes County League of Voters, Helping Hands, and was a life member of the NAACP and served as President of the Lowndes County Branch. She was an alumna of Mississippi University for Women. In 2010, she was among those opposing a suggestion by then-Governor Haley Barbour to merge some universities to save money; and

WHEREAS, she leaves to cherish her memories a daughter, Aubra Berenice Givens; and

WHEREAS, Esther Harrison lived a full life of service to her community, her family and her state. Her great and good spirit enriched the lives of all her colleagues and the citizens of the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the life and public service of longtime State Representative Esther Harrison of Columbus, Mississippi, and extend the condolences of the Mississippi Legislature to her surviving family.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Representative Esther Harrison and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.