THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY KIRKLAND, MICCARELLI, KORTZ, BISHOP, BRENNAN, MILLARD, BROWNLEE, GEORGE, SCAVELLO, BARRAR, CALTAGIRONE, MYERS, MIRABITO, BARBIN, ELLIS, CONKLIN, GEIST, SONNEY, ROSS, SWANGER, MANN, KILLION, HENNESSEY, FRANKEL, KOTIK, GOODMAN, MAHONEY, BRADFORD, DiGIROLAMO, CLYMER, GODSHALL, YOUNGBLOOD, WHEATLEY, VEREB, RAVENSTAHL, FABRIZIO, ROEBUCK, DAVIDSON, D. COSTA, DALEY AND MURT, FEBRUARY 3, 2012

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, FEBRUARY 3, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Expressing condolences and appreciation of the life of James N.

Harper who passed away December 19, 2011.

WHEREAS, James N. "Jim" Harper, the son of Clementine and

Wilson Harper, Sr., was born September 28, 1941, in Chester; and

WHEREAS, James was one of four brothers, attended the Chester

School District until the 11th grade and graduated from Upper

Darby High School; and

WHEREAS, James first joined Laborers' International Union of

North America Local 413 in June of 1960; and

WHEREAS, James first used the union dollars that he earned

during summer employment to attend West Virginia State

University; and

WHEREAS, James was active in extracurricular activities

including teaching neighborhood children how to improve their

reading and writing skills; and

WHEREAS, While at West Virginia State University, James

developed a program to bring children, parents and school

administrators to the college for open-house activities that

continue today; and 

WHEREAS, James led civil rights demonstrations in Charleston,

West Virginia, and participated in the Reserve Officers'

Training Corps; and 

WHEREAS, In 1965, after graduating from West Virginia State

University, James attended graduate school at The Pennsylvania

State University; and

WHEREAS, During this time, James continued mentoring youth,

worked to reduce street gang tensions and taught and wrote

papers on black history which were read by students and adults;

and

WHEREAS, James served in the Vietnam War after graduating

from The Pennsylvania State University, leaving behind two

children from his union with Betty Harper, Terria and James Jr.;

and 

WHEREAS, James attained the rank of captain and received

several decorations before he returned to a teaching position at

The Pennsylvania State University and rejoined Laborers' Local

413 in 1974; and

WHEREAS, In 1977, James was elected Business Manager of Local

413 where he stood solidly behind the union's commitment to

"Unity, Education, Safety and Community"; and

WHEREAS, James believed that the more the union and its

friends worked together towards these basic goals, the more the

union would succeed and grow; and

WHEREAS, Having played varsity sports in high school, youth

athletics remained an important part of James' life, so he and

Tom Crews organized the Black Panthers Football Team and worked

with Bennie Wright, coach of the Bennett Raiders, and Marty

Dill, coach of the Chester Mustangs, and others, to form a

football league in Chester; and

WHEREAS, Over a ten-year period, thousands of children were

involved in their football league as players and cheerleaders,

and James continued to coach football, basketball and baseball

for more than 30 years while encouraging the members of Local

413 to be committed to the youth of Chester; and

WHEREAS, James gave exemplary service to his country, his

community and his family, making not just an impression, but an

impact upon the world in which he lived until Monday, December

19, 2011, when James entered into the arms of our Heavenly

Father; and

WHEREAS, Jim leaves behind, to cherish his legacy, daughter

Terria D. Harper; son James N. Harper and his wife, Tara;

brother Pastor Meredith Harper and his wife, Beverley; beloved

aunt Geraldine H. Lewis; sister-in-law, Idora Harper; three

grandchildren, Teesha Harper, Semaje Harper and James N. Harper,

III; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, the members of

Laborers' Local 413 and many friends; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognize James "Jim" Harper and

his life as a community leader, military veteran and important

figure in the history of the City of Chester, Pennsylvania.