ENROLLED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 9
BY REPRESENTATIVES ADAMS AND LACOMBE
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Dr. Henry
Louis Hardy.
WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness and profound regret that the House of
Representatives has learned of the passing, on March 22, 2023, of Dr. Henry Louis Hardy;
and
WHEREAS, Henry Louis Hardy was born on December 10, 1940, and was the third
of four children born to Silas Hardy, Sr., and Elnora Jackson Hardy; he accepted Christ at
an early age and was baptized at St. Andrew's Baptist Church in St. Francisville, Louisiana;
he later joined St. Michael Baptist Church in LaPlace, Louisiana, where he served as
chairman of the board of trustees and was a faithful member until his death; and
WHEREAS, Henry graduated from John S. Dawson High School in 1958; after high
school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force; once he completed his military service, he enrolled
at Southern University in Baton Rouge where he went on to receive a bachelor of science
degree in mathematics; he pursued graduate studies in Connecticut and ultimately completed
a doctorate of mathematics at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Hardy first worked professionally as a professor of mathematics and
an administrator at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania; throughout his career, his research
efforts were bolstered by grant funding from the likes of the William Penn Foundation, the
Minority Science Improvement Program, the United States Department of Education, and
the United States Department of Energy; after retiring from Cheyney University of
Pennsylvania, Dr. Hardy moved to New Orleans, and in 1994, he accepted a position as
professor of mathematics and vice chancellor for academic affairs at Southern University
of New Orleans (SUNO); and
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WHEREAS, Dr. Hardy served with excellence at SUNO for thirteen years; in May
2001, he received his most significant research funding in the form of a $2.5 million grant
from the National Science Foundation for the foundation of a "Program for Excellence in
Science, Mathematics, and Computer Technology" at the university; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Hardy was the recipient of countless awards throughout his career,
including the President's Award for Academic Excellence at Cheyney University, the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Distinguished Faculty Award, the Marcus Foster Award
for Outstanding Educators presented by Educators Roundtable, Inc., and many others; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his professional life, Dr. Hardy's hobbies included
reading, writing, watching mysteries and westerns, and traveling; he was also an avid sports
fan and truly loved attending games, especially for his alma mater, Southern University in
Baton Rouge; his favorite events to attend were the Bayou Classic and the Battle of the
Bands between Southern University and Grambling State University; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Hardy leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Mattie Hardy;
son, Turland Malone, and his wife Lynnette; daughter, Pamlynn Hardy; son-in-spirit,
Derrick Ruffin; grandchildren, Justin Roland and Rogie Louis Magee, Jr.; great-
grandchildren, Rogie L. Magee III and Khenzi A. Magee; sisters-in-law, Daisy Callahan-
Hardy, Jessie March, Annie Hamlin, and her husband George, Jimmie Rochelle, and Beverly
Hill Hercules, and her husband Josh; brothers-in-law, Sammy Price, Pastor Julius Hill, and
his wife Alverne, and Ralph Hill, and his wife Amy; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended
family members, and friends; he will be deeply missed.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express heartfelt condolences on the death of Dr.
Henry Louis Hardy and does hereby extend sincerest wishes that his family and friends find
comfort in their shared memories of his life.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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