Introduced Version
SENATE RESOLUTION No. ___
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOL UTION
A SENATE RESOLUTION memorializing Cleveland
"Deacon" Harp.
FREEMAN, SANDLIN,
WALKER K, TAYLOR G
, read first time and referred to Committee on
2022 RR 3501/DI ZS Introduced
Second Regular Session 122nd General Assembly (2022)
SENATE RESOLUTION ____
MADAM PRESIDENT:
I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
1 A SENATE RESOLUTION memorializing Cleveland
2 "Deacon" Harp.
3 Whereas, Cleveland "Deacon" Harp was, as he often put it,
4 "blessed with a great life" that began on September 2, 1934;
5 Whereas, As a child in the 1940s, Mr. Harp began what
6 would be a long life in sports when he worked as a bat boy for
7 the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League;
8 Whereas, After receiving the encouragement of legendary
9 coach Ray Crowe, the six-foot seven-inch Mr. Harp played
10 basketball for Crispus Attucks High School where, from humble
11 beginnings, he went on to have a successful high school career,
12 including a 1953 regional championship;
13 Whereas, Following high school, Mr. Harp had a 13-year
14 professional basketball career playing for several barnstorming
15 teams, including the Harlem Globetrotters, the Harlem
16 Magicians, the Harlem Astronauts, and a team organized by
17 Mr. Harp himself, the Harlem Vagabonds;
18 Whereas, After his playing career ended, Mr. Harp
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1 managed restaurants and apartment buildings before returning
2 to Indianapolis at the age of 63 and becoming an usher at
3 Market Square Arena;
4
5 Whereas, Despite a cancer diagnosis that would ultimately
6 cost him his voice box, Mr. Harp became a fixture of the
7 Indianapolis basketball scene for more than 20 years, spending
8 what he considered a cherished time getting to know people
9 while "just being himself"; and
10 Whereas, Mr. Harp was a distinguished gentleman who
11 worked hard, respected others, feared God, and led "a life
12 marvelously lived": Therefore,
13 Be it resolved by the Senate of the
14 General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
15 SECTION 1. That the Indiana Senate memorializes
16 Cleveland "Deacon" Harp.
17 SECTION 2. The Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed
18 to transmit copies of this Resolution to Barry and Saberina
19 Crone, Brittany Crone, Stephen Crone, Rebekah Crone, Kierstin
20 Crone, and Samuel Crone.
2022 RR 3501/DI ZS