SCR7, As Adopted by House, March 24, 2009

SCR7, As Adopted by Senate, March 24, 2009

            Senator Bishop offered the following concurrent resolution:

            Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7.

            A concurrent resolution to honor the memory of Harmon G. Cropsey, former member of the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate.

You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

                                                                                                —Jesus Christ

If we work upon marble, it will perish;

If on brass, time will efface it;

If we rear temples, they will crumble into dust;

But if we work upon immortal minds,

And imbue them with principles,

With the just fear of God and love of our fellow-men,

We engrave on those tablets something that will brighten to all eternity.

                                                                                                 —Daniel Webster

            Whereas, The members and staff of the Michigan Legislature were saddened to learn of the passing of Harmon G. Cropsey on March 13, 2009, which gentleman of principle and integrity touched many people over the course of his long and productive life, and whose example of commitment to service will endure through the record of the values with which he lived his life; and

            Whereas, Harmon Cropsey's life was rooted in farm, family, and faith, and as a student at Michigan State University and graduate of Iowa State University, he farmed in both Iowa and Michigan; and

            Whereas, Like so many of his generation, he put his personal dreams and aspirations on hold during World War II, became a navigator and pilot with the Navy for four years, flew more than 40 missions out of England, and earned the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross before returning to civilian life; and

            Whereas, In the Cass County area, Harmon Cropsey was active in a host of organizations, including the Farm Bureau, veterans posts, political associations, and pro-life groups; and

            Whereas, Harmon Cropsey was deeply involved in education, having served as the legislative agent for the Friends of Michigan Schools, as a member of the Senate Education Committee, and as a member on the boards of Geneva Public School, Lewis Cass Intermediate School District, Capitol City Christian School, South Riley Bible School, and Noah Webster Academy (the first public school academy in Michigan); and

            Whereas, Harmon Cropsey was actively involved in the spiritual life of the communities where he lived by helping to start two churches and serving on the board of deacons of Volinia Baptist Church, Diamond Lake Baptist Church, East DeWitt Bible Church, and South Riley Bible Church; and

            Whereas, First elected as a legislator in a special election for the Michigan House of Representatives in August 1981, Harmon Cropsey came to the Michigan Senate in 1983; and

            Whereas, During his 10 years as a lawmaker, Harmon Cropsey contributed to the shaping of public policy not only by sharing his deep understanding of religious, educational, and agricultural issues, but also through his work as the chairman of the Senate Local Government and Veterans Committee, and his unpretentious and unselfish manner earned him the respect of members on both sides of the aisle; and,

            Whereas, Harmon Cropsey was a model of marital faithfulness, having been married to his wife, Marian, for 65 years, the offspring of that union being seven children, 19 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren; and

            Whereas, Having lived for over 91 years, it can be said of Harmon Cropsey, as was said of the patriarch Job, that he "died, being old and full of days"; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we offer this expression of our highest tribute to honor the memory of Harmon G. Cropsey, a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1981 to 1982 and of the Michigan Senate from 1983 to 1990; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Cropsey family as evidence of the esteem that will long be held for his life and service to others.