2023 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 53
BY SENATORS ALLAIN, ABRAHAM, BARROW, BERNARD, BOUDREAUX, BOUIE,
CARTER, CATHEY, CLOUD, CONNICK, CORTEZ, DUPLESSIS,
FESI, FIELDS, FOIL, HARRIS, HENRY, HENSGENS, HEWITT,
JACKSON, KLEINPETER, LAMBERT, LUNEAU, MCMATH,
MILLIGAN, FRED MILLS, ROBERT MILLS, MIZELL, MORRIS,
PEACOCK, POPE, PRICE, REESE, SMITH, STINE, TALBOT,
TARVER AND WOMACK
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the passing of
Jimmy "Jim" Foster Harris and to recognize his many outstanding achievements.
WHEREAS, it is with tremendous sadness and profound regret that the Legislature
of Louisiana has learned of the passing, on May 8, 2023, of Jimmy "Jim" Foster Harris; and
WHEREAS, Jim was born on June 8, 1945, in Mountain Grove, Missouri, to Ursel
and Foster Harris; and
WHEREAS, at the age of thirteen, Jim moved with his family to New Orleans,
Louisiana, for two years before settling down in Franklin, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, while still in high school, Jim traveled to Houston to obtain a
broadcasting license to fulfill his dream of reporting the news over the airwaves, and landed
a job at KFRA-AM radio as a disc jockey; and
WHEREAS, Jim's silky smooth delivery style combined with an ear for the news
made him a noted radio journalist as a very young man; and
WHEREAS, Jim attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana part-time and
continued to sharpen his media skills as the news director for KPEL-AM radio while also
serving in the United States Army Reserve for six years; and
WHEREAS, Jim's journalistic talent and booming voice led him to a job opportunity
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at WJBO-AM radio in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he created and hosted the
award-winning interview program "Topic Today"; and
WHEREAS, in one year as news director at WJBO-AM he garnered eleven
Associated Press and United Press International awards; and
WHEREAS, Jim's immense talent caught the attention of Louisiana political and
public relations icon Gus Weill who offered Jim the position of press secretary for Governor
Edwin Edwards' re-election campaign in 1975; and
WHEREAS, Jim was responsible for managing Governor Edwin Edwards'
relationship with the media and shaping his public image a challenge well documented in
political lore; and
WHEREAS, Jim went on to work in a number of roles in the second term of
Governor Edwin Edwards, serving in the Department of Transportation and Development
and Department of Health and Human Services, and cut his teeth on environmental policy
serving on the former Louisiana Environmental Control Commission; and
WHEREAS, Jim continued his career in politics and public service as the campaign
manager for Lt. Governor Jimmy Fitzmorris' run for governor in 1979 and as Assistant
Secretary of the Office of Commerce and Industry for Governor Dave Treen; and
WHEREAS, Jim served as the Executive Director of the Louisiana World
Exposition, also known as the Louisiana World's Fair, held in New Orleans in 1984,
resulting in a huge impact for the city of New Orleans and Louisiana and attracting many
visitors showcasing Louisiana's culture, industry, and heritage to the world; and
WHEREAS, Jim founded Harris, Fischer & Associates in 1984, which became Harris
& Associates in 1986, and finally Harris, DeVille & Associates in 1993, working with
Renwick DeVille to grow a two-person firm into a team of over twenty persons managing
issues for a client base that includes numerous Fortune 100 companies; and
WHEREAS, Harris, DeVille & Associates has provided communications and
governmental relations stewardship of billions of dollars of new investments in Louisiana
and along the United States Gulf Coast; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, Jim and his Harris, DeVille & Associates family were awarded
the Legal Reform Champion Award by the United States Institute for Legal Reform; and
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WHEREAS, Jim was a pioneer in the issues management and public affairs field and
set the standard for trusted and effective communications on behalf of his clients; and
WHEREAS, Jim was a trustworthy advisor and provided counsel to seven Louisiana
governors, hundreds of Louisiana legislators, and countless parish and local officials; and
WHEREAS, Jim was considered a giant in the governmental affairs community who
always conducted himself in a calm, ethical, and gentlemanly manner; and
WHEREAS, Jim was a wise and kind mentor to dozens of current members of the
Louisiana governmental affairs society, always happy to provide advice and direction; and
WHEREAS, Jim had a great interest in Winston Churchill and British culture and
lived by the famous English slogan, "Keep Calm and Carry On"; and
WHEREAS, Jim was a voracious reader, loved all music, a great cup of chicory
coffee, and always dressed impeccably regardless of the situation or setting; and
WHEREAS, Jim believed in sticking to the facts and pressing forward knowing that
truth would prevail even against the greatest odds; and
WHEREAS, Jim was a true patriarch to all who needed him by reassuring them that
everything would be all right as long as we kept pushing forward; and
WHEREAS, Jim pushed on until the very end of his days with strength and grace,
and even after his ALS diagnosis and inability to talk, he continued working as best he could
and was passionately devoted to helping his Harris, DeVille &Associates family for as long
as possible; and
WHEREAS, Jim was a proud husband, father, grandfather, and brother, and is
survived by his loving wife of 49 years Linda Harris, his daughter Sydney Harris Stormer,
son-in-law Tim Stormer, son Jake Harris, grandson Hudson Harris Stormer, sister Susan
Soprano-Auburn, and brother-in-law Ken Auburn; and
WHEREAS, Jim will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew
him; and
WHEREAS, Jim was a master at his craft and a true Louisiana legend who will
always be remembered for his presence, wisdom, charm, love, and quiet benevolence; and
WHEREAS, Jim loved Louisiana and left our great state better than he found it by
leaving a mark on our hearts and minds that will last forever.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the passing of Jimmy "Jim" Foster Harris and
does hereby recognize and record for posterity his many outstanding achievements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Linda
Harris, Sydney Harris Stormer, Jake Harris, Renwick DeVille, and Harris, DeVille &
Associates.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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