HLS 23RS-978 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 9
BY REPRESENTATIVES ADAMS AND LACOMBE
CONDOLENCES: Expresses the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death
of Dr. Henry Louis Hardy
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Dr. Henry
3 Louis Hardy.
4 WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness and profound regret that the House of
5Representatives has learned of the passing, on March 22, 2023, of Dr. Henry Louis Hardy;
6and
7 WHEREAS, Henry Louis Hardy was born on December 10, 1940, and was the third
8of four children born to Silas Hardy, Sr., and Elnora Jackson Hardy; he accepted Christ at
9an early age and was baptized at St. Andrew's Baptist Church in St. Francisville, Louisiana;
10he later joined St. Michael Baptist Church in LaPlace, Louisiana, where he served as
11chairman of the board of trustees and was a faithful member until his death; and
12 WHEREAS, Henry graduated from John S. Dawson High School in 1958; after high
13school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force; once he completed his military service, he enrolled
14at Southern University in Baton Rouge where he went on to receive a bachelor of science
15degree in mathematics; he pursued graduate studies in Connecticut and ultimately completed
16a doctorate of mathematics at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and
17 WHEREAS, Dr. Hardy first worked professionally as a professor of mathematics and
18an administrator at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania; throughout his career, his research
19efforts were bolstered by grant funding from the likes of the William Penn Foundation, the
20Minority Science Improvement Program, the United States Department of Education, and
21the United States Department of Energy; after retiring from Cheyney University of
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HR NO. 9
1Pennsylvania, Dr. Hardy moved to New Orleans, and in 1994, he accepted a position as
2professor of mathematics and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Southern University
3of New Orleans (SUNO); and
4 WHEREAS, Dr. Hardy served with excellence at SUNO for thirteen years; in May
52001, he received his most significant research funding in the form of a $2.5 million grant
6from the National Science Foundation for the foundation of a "Program for Excellence in
7Science, Mathematics, and Computer Technology" at the university; and
8 WHEREAS, Dr. Hardy was the recipient of countless awards throughout his career,
9including the President's Award for Academic Excellence at Cheyney University, the
10Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Distinguished Faculty Award, the Marcus Foster Award
11for Outstanding Educators presented by Educators Roundtable, Inc., and many others; and
12 WHEREAS, in addition to his professional life, Dr. Hardy's hobbies included
13reading, writing, watching mysteries and westerns, and traveling; he was also an avid sports
14fan and truly loved attending games, especially for his alma mater, Southern University in
15Baton Rouge; his favorite events to attend were the Bayou Classic and the Battle of the
16Bands between Southern University and Grambling State University; and
17 WHEREAS, Dr. Hardy leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Mattie Hardy;
18son, Turland Malone, and his wife Lynnette; daughter, Pamlynn Hardy; son-in-spirit,
19Derrick Ruffin; grandchildren, Justin Roland and Rogie Louis Magee, Jr.; great-
20grandchildren, Rogie L. Magee III and Khenzi A. Magee; sisters-in-law, Daisy Callahan-
21Hardy, Jessie March, Annie Hamlin, and her husband George, Jimmie Rochelle, and Beverly
22Hill Hercules, and her husband Josh; brothers-in-law, Sammy Price, Pastor Julius Hill, and
23his wife Alverne, and Ralph Hill, and his wife Amy; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended
24family members, and friends; he will be deeply missed.
25 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
26Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express heartfelt condolences on the death of Dr.
27Henry Louis Hardy and does hereby extend sincerest wishes that his family and friends find
28comfort in their shared memories of his life.
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HR NO. 9
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 9 Original 2023 Regular Session Adams
Expresses the condolences of the House of Representatives on the death of Dr. Henry Louis
Hardy.
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