Bill Text: MS SR13 | 2026 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognize Master Craftsman Greg Harkins as recipient of the 2026 Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Traditional Craft.
Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 5-3)
Status: (Passed) 2026-02-04 - Adopted [SR13 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-SR13-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Chassaniol, McCaughn
Senate Resolution 13
A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO MISSISSIPPI MASTER CHAIRMAKER GREG HARKINS OF THOMASTOWN, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2026 GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TRADITIONAL CRAFT.
WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards program has announced its 2026 recipients, which include internationally celebrated Mississippi Craftsman Greg Harkins of Thomastown/Jackson, Mississippi, as the 2026 Governor's Arts Award recipient for Excellence in Traditional Craft; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards program signifies the important relationship between government and the arts. Established in 1988, the Governor's Arts Awards program recognizes individuals and organizations who have made noteworthy contributions to or achieved artistic excellence in Mississippi and is the most prestigious award for living artists in the state. The Mississippi Arts Commission presents the awards each year in partnership with the Governor's Office. The 38th Governor's Arts Awards ceremony is February 12, 2026, at The Westin Jackson. The Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) and the Governor's Office are pleased to announce four outstanding artists and one legacy arts organization as recipients of the 2026 Governor's Arts Awards; and
WHEREAS, Greg Harkins is a Master Chairmaker with 50 years of experience creating heirloom-quality furniture, most notably his iconic rocking chairs. He has traveled across the country to showcase his work at festivals and exhibitions, earning national and international recognition through numerous magazine and newspaper articles, television interviews, and documentaries. However, no matter how far he roams or what offers he receives, Greg always returns to Mississippi. It remains his guiding star, providing him with clarity, purpose, and inspiration. Mississippi grounds him, connecting his past to his present and shaping his future; and
WHEREAS, Greg's Irish Catholic roots stretch back seven generations in Mississippi. Raised in Jackson, he spent summers in Thomastown, exploring the woods around his family's farm. It was only natural for him to return to his roots in Thomastown after graduating from Mississippi State University in 1976. There, Greg says he "feels the spirits of his ancestors," both as a metaphor and as a true presence. "On the farm," he reflects, "I was always taller, stronger, smarter, and wiser." During this time, Greg began an apprenticeship with Master Chairmaker Tom Bell. "Mr. Bell was my mentor," Greg recalls. "He taught me every angle of chairmaking as he knew it. Mr. Bell and his wife, Mabel, taught me a way of life." In 1978, Greg's journey as a chairmaker took root with the founding of Harkins Woodworks in Vaughan; and
WHEREAS, just two years later, Greg's career took a dramatic turn. In August 1980, President and Mrs. Reagan attended the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, Mississippi. During their visit, Greg presented the President with one of his rocking chairs. A photograph of Mrs. Reagan sitting on the President's lap in Greg's chair quickly made headlines and spread around the world. In that moment, Greg Harkins was propelled onto the national and international stage; and
WHEREAS, Greg is internationally celebrated for his craftsmanship. His furniture can be found in all 50 states and more than 35 countries worldwide. Over the years, his work has been gifted to a long list of distinguished individuals, including six Presidents, two Vice Presidents, numerous members of Congress, and various celebrities. Greg was invited twice to the Oval Office to present his rocking chairs. Perhaps the most meaningful honor of his career came when he built a rocking chair for Pope John Paul II, an especially profound moment for Greg as a devout Catholic. Despite these high-profile commissions, Greg's heart remains with the everyday people who have supported him from the beginning. He continues to build chairs for working families across the country. They are the backbone of his business, and he deeply values and respects their loyalty, referring to them as his heroes; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Greg has proudly served as a cultural ambassador for Mississippi. He represents the state with heart, humor, and a unique ability to connect with people. Greg's work symbolizes the state's heritage and hospitality. A 10-foot-tall Harkins Chair sits at the Mississippi Agricultural Museum. His chairs were displayed in China by the Delta Regional Planning Board as part of an exhibition promoting Mississippi-made products. For over a decade, Greg brought his chairs to the Mississippi Picnic in Central Park, New York City. Travelers passing through Mississippi Welcome Centers can rest in one of Greg's rocking chairs, a quiet invitation to experience the state's warmth and tradition. Greg's work was also featured in a cultural exchange with Fujisawa East, Jackson's sister city in Japan. At Table 100 Restaurant in Flowood, Mississippi, guests can dine at a Harkins table and chairs made from a tree felled by Hurricane Katrina, a powerful tribute to resilience and craftsmanship; and
WHEREAS, even after 50 years, Greg continues to push forward. For the past four years, he has mentored his apprentice, Hodges Boland, passing down the craft he has spent a lifetime preserving. Plans are underway to fulfill long-held dreams of establishing the St. Anne School of Arts and Crafts on Greg's property in Canton. The school will offer a diverse range of classes taught by artists in disciplines such as glassblowing, flintknapping, pottery, woodworking, and more. Greg is collaborating with Mississippi filmmaker Cotton Yancey on a 24-minute documentary that explores Greg's life, legacy, and meticulous chairmaking process. The film will be entered into film festivals across the country, showcasing Cotton's work and providing a powerful platform to share Greg's full story with a broader audience; and
WHEREAS, Greg Harkins' long and storied career has remained deeply rooted in the heart of Mississippi. Through his unmatched craftsmanship, outstanding work ethic, and lifelong service as an ambassador for our state's cultural heritage, he has elevated Mississippi on both national and international stages; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute and express appreciation for the energy of a Mississippi craftsman who has made Mississippi a better place and exemplifies the charitable and artistic/craft traditions of our great state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the recognition of the Mississippi Senate to Mississippi Master Chairmaker Greg Harkins of Thomastown, Mississippi, as the recipient of the 2026 Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Traditional Crafts and extend our congratulations to this outstanding craftsman and civic leader on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Greg Harkins and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
