HJR 7017

                                                                          <BillNo> <Sponsor>
                                HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 7017
                                              By Chism
                                A RESOLUTION to honor the memory of Representative G.A.
                                             Hardaway.
        WHEREAS, it was with regret and sadness that we learned of the passing of our
esteemed colleague Representative Goffrey A. "G.A." Hardaway, Sr., of Memphis; and
        WHEREAS, Representative G.A. Hardaway was a distinguished public servant who
served both his constituency and this legislative body with honor and ability; and
        WHEREAS, G.A. Hardaway represented the 93rd House District from January 2013 until
his passing, and during that time, he was an outspoken leader for the Tennessee Democratic
Party and a tireless advocate for many Memphis neighborhoods; and
        WHEREAS, during his tenure on Capitol Hill, Representative Hardaway was a highly
influential figure in the political, social, and civic life of Shelby County, and he served his
constituents in numerous capacities, always working diligently at his elected duties and
expending the necessary effort to understand the opposing sides of complex issues; and
        WHEREAS, G.A. Hardaway distinguished himself as a public-spirited citizen of the
highest order and as an exceptional asset to the good people of the 93rd House District, whom
he represented as a member of the 105th, 106th, 107th, 108th, 109th, 110th, 111th, 112th, 113th, and
114th General Assemblies; and
        WHEREAS, throughout his service, Representative G.A. Hardaway was prominent as a
dedicated and well-informed legislator who always voted his conscience and fought hard
against redistricting, emphasizing that voters should be able to choose their leaders, rather than
leaders choosing their voters; and
        WHEREAS, an active and dynamic participant in the legislative process during his time
in the General Assembly, Representative Hardaway rendered sterling leadership as a member
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of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, House Children and Family Affairs
Committee, House Civil Justice Committee, House Commerce Committee, House Consumer
and Employee Affairs Committee, House Consumer and Human Resources Committee, House
Criminal Justice Committee, House Ethics Committee, House Government Operations
Committee, House Insurance and Banking Committee, House Judiciary Committee, House
Transportation Committee, House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee, House
Business Subcommittee, House Business and Utilities Subcommittee, House Civil Justice
Subcommittee, House Consumer Affairs Subcommittee, House Criminal Justice Subcommittee,
House Family Justice Subcommittee, House Public Safety and Rural Roads Subcommittee, and
House Small Business Subcommittee; and
       WHEREAS, beyond his legislative duties, Representative Hardaway remained deeply
engaged in civic and charitable life, serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Africa
in April Festival and Black Family Channel; Al-Kadosh Shrine Temple; Black Business
Association; CBU Oliver Thornton Scholarship Fund; and Herndon #10 Masonic Lodge; and
       WHEREAS, his community leadership also included service as founder/visionary, chair
of board of advisors, chair of board of governors, Memphis Academy of Health Sciences;
member of the NAACP, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and Rosa Parks Academy;
political director of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition; and charter member of the Shelby County
Juvenile Court Advisory Council; and
       WHEREAS, Representative Hardaway was recognized with numerous honors and
distinctions for his leadership and service, including the Men of Excellence Award, the Middle
College High School Appreciation Award, and the Rozelle-Annesdale Association Outstanding
Service Award; and
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       WHEREAS, born in Meridian, Mississippi, on June 18, 1954, G.A. Hardaway graduated
from DePaul University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and was also a graduate
of Christian Brothers University in Memphis; and
       WHEREAS, throughout his outstanding career as a public servant, Representative G.A.
Hardaway worked tirelessly on behalf of his constituents, bringing to his office an honorable
bearing and the traditional values of hard work and common sense; and
       WHEREAS, it is fitting that we should pay tribute to the bountiful life of purpose and
commitment of Representative G.A. Hardaway and to reflect fondly upon his many contributions
to this State and its citizens; now, therefore,
       BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that even as we mourn his passing, we celebrate the bountiful life of
Representative Goffrey A. "G.A." Hardaway, Sr., fondly remembering his legislative legacy and
his many accomplishments in all walks of life. We express our sympathy and offer our
condolences to Representative Hardaway's family and many friends.
       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
without House or Senate designation.
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