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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 23, 2015 12:42 PM |
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| From: | Representative Vanessa Lowery Brown |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Co-Sponsorship Memo: Condolence Resolution Honoring the Life and Legacy of Edgar Sonny Harris |
| In the near future, I will be introducing a resolution honoring the life and legacy of the late Mr. Edgar “Sonny” Harris, a former professor at Cheyney University and outspoken advocate on behalf of the Heeding Cheyney’s Call Coalition (HCCC). Mr. Harris passed away on Monday, September 14, 2015. Mr. Harris’ teaching and activist career spanned several decades in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. A native of Atlantic City, Mr. Harris left his home state to attend Pennsylvania’s Cheyney Teachers College and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1958. Following graduation, Mr. Harris returned to New Jersey to teach at several local schools, becoming known as a “hands on administrator” and an effective and motivating principal and director. During that same time, Mr. Harris earned two Masters’ degrees and became actively involved in the NAACP on the local and national levels in several capacities. Mr. Harris received the prestigious NAACP National Award in 1965 for his dedicated service to the community. In 1970, Mr. Harris began a teaching position at Cheyney State College (now University) as an Associate Professor of Education and became involved in the Teacher Preparation Program in the Department of Elementary Education and the newly formed statewide Professors’ Union – Association of Pennsylvania State Colleges and University Faculties (APSCUF). Over his 35 year teaching career at Cheyney, Mr. Harris provided supervisory, administrative direction and leadership to the university and received numerous awards for his excellence and dedication to the teaching profession. In March 2013, Mr. Harris joined fellow alumni, current and retired faculty and education activists to create HCCC, a coalition dedicated to saving Cheyney University and enhancing the education experience for the many students that pass through its halls. HCCC has sought to remedy several decades of underfunding by the Commonwealth and fight discriminatory policies that have significantly undermined the historic university. Please consider joining me in honoring Mr. Harris’ life and recognizing his unyielding dedication to Cheyney University and its students. If you should have any questions or concerns regarding this Resolution, please contact Dawn Coleman in my office at (717) 772-6955 or via email at DColeman@pahouse.net . |
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