Bill Text: MS SC687 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commend the life of Dr. Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey, respected Instructor at Jackson State University.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-1)
Status: (Passed) 2017-04-05 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC687 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-SC687-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Norwood, Frazier, Simmons (12th), Barnett, Fillingane, Jackson (32nd), Stone, Witherspoon
Senate Concurrent Resolution 687
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF DR. MARIA LUISA ALVAREZ HARVEY, RESPECTED INSTRUCTOR AT JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY.
WHEREAS, Dr. Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey, founder of the Honors College at Jackson State University, passed away on February 13, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey was born the eldest of five children to a Journalist father, Luis R. Alvarez, and a Seamstress mother, Juanita M. Alvarez, in Torreon, Mexico, in 1933. Maria went to work at age 14 after the death of her father to supplement the family's income and help pay for her siblings to attend parochial school by working in her uncle's printing business; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey legally immigrated to the United States, attended cosmetology school and started working in an aunt's beauty salon, devoting her money to help her family; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey married and gave birth to son Rogelio V. Solis, a future Photojournalist, passed an entrance examination for Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso) to become a first-generation college graduate, earning her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees and her Doctoral Degree at the University of Arizona, where she also earned the prestigious Phi Betta Kappa Key; and
WHEREAS, on her journey of educational excellence and lifelong service to students, Dr. Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey earned an additional Master's Degree in Education from Jackson State University and was a visiting scholar at Harvard University for two summers teaching in Arizona and in New Mexico before beginning her stellar career at Jackson State University in 1970; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey established the Honors Division at Jackson State University and then went on to become the founder of the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors College, where she served as its Inaugural Dean, taking great joy in mentoring her "babies," as she fondly referred to her students, and taking much pride in their accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey's career spanned 60 years, 40 of which were spent at Jackson State and 20 of which were spent as the Head of the University's Honors Program, in which she imbued her students with the belief that they were not defined by the size of their parent's bank account, the circumstances of their birth or the opinions of others, and she inspired confidence, an appreciation for culture, and the acceptance of diversity; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey was honored in 1973 by Jackson State University when the yearbook, The JACKSONIAN was dedicated to her; in 1979, when she was named "Teacher of the Year" and, in 2012, when the Jackson State University National Alumni Association bestowed upon her the Community Service Award at its Inaugural Black Tie Scholarship and Recognition Gala; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey will long be cherished and remembered for her legacy of commitment to her students, to excellence in scholarship and for service to mankind by the legions of her "babies," who benefitted from her exceptional mentorship, outstanding advocacy and devoted concern; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey labored tirelessly and faithfully with a servant's heart and a valiant spirit, leaving to cherish her memory a devoted son, Rogelio V. Solis (Deborah); beloved grandson, Luis V. Solis (Meredith); sisters, Lilia Keitges (Ken) and Nena Aigner (Erich); sister-in-law, Nohemi Alvarez; several nieces and nephews and a host of admirers, including the Jackson State University family of administrators, alumni, faculty, staff and students. Maria was preceded in death by her parents, Luis R. and Juanita M. Alvarez; brothers, John Alvarez and Luis Alvarez; and husband W. Brockford Gordon. Dr.Harvey was a beloved professor and good friend and colleague to all who were fortunate to work with her:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life of Dr. Maria Luisa Alvarez Harvey, respected Instructor at Jackson State University, 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 Dr. Harvey, forwarded to the President of Jackson State University and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
