[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 10 (Thursday, January 12, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E26]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF HARRY AUBREY MARTIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 12, 2023

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
life of Harry Aubrey Martin. Harry, a legendary economic development 
leader and local philanthropist, died peacefully in his sleep on 
Friday, December 30, 2022, at North Mississippi Medical Center in 
Tupelo. He was ninety-seven and a half years old. A native of Quitman 
County, Mississippi, Harry was born on a farm on July 20, 1925, the 
sixth of 9 children of the late Ed Martin and Bessie R. Flemings 
Martin. Harry graduated from Quitman High School in 1942. He attended 
Mississippi State University from 1942-1943, at which time he enlisted 
in the U.S. Air Force, serving his country during WWII. He returned to 
MSU, graduating in 1948 with a bachelor of science degree in 
Agricultural Administration. Always industrious, Harry worked his way 
through MSU in Dean E. B. Colmer's office. He married Clarke County 
native Agnes Louisa Norris on July 30, 1948. They were married for over 
65 years, until she passed away on May 11, 2015.
  Harry was a natural leader, a visionary, and seemed to understand the 
rhythm of life from an early age. On Oct. 1, 1948, he and Agnes moved 
to Tupelo so that he could be an assistant county agent, specializing 
in 4-H Club work. Harry excelled in organizing and promoting leadership 
among 4-H'ers, winning state and national awards. In May of 1956, Harry 
was chosen as secretary-manager of the Community Development 
Foundation, where he served for 44 years. His record of success as an 
economic developer is not only evident in present-day Tupelo: he also 
received numerous accolades, recognitions, and meritorious awards--
regionally, statewide, and nationally. He was instrumental in locating 
more than 100 plants and expansions as well as the development of 5 
industrial parks in Lee County, 1 of which bears his name. The National 
Business Alliance and the U.S. Housing and Urban Development selected 
CDF's Lee County service area as being 1 of the 10 best examples of 
public/private partnership in the USA. The Ford Foundation equally 
recognized CDF. Harry had the ability to focus on ``hands-on'' 
projects, using diverse skill sets and talents and always coated them 
with ``community ownership.''
  Harry was instrumental in starting the RCDC movement in the 1950s, 
which bridged the gaps between rural and urban people and became a 
national model. His other selfless services to the Tupelo-Lee County 
area, the State of Mississippi, and the rest of the country will be his 
legacies of leadership, stamina, and accomplishments. Harry was a 
Civitan, Tupelo's Outstanding Man in 1959, a leader in the 1987 AHEAD 
program that brought four-lane highways to Mississippi, especially the 
northeast portion of the state. He was a charter member and secretary/
treasurer of the Tupelo Furniture Marketing Association. Harry was a 
faithful and beloved member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo, 
where he held many offices. He was a Master Mason. After retirement, 
Harry joined his daughter, Janet, in establishing Martin Realty 
Company. In 2018, he finished writing and published his autobiography, 
Harry Martin and the Community Development Foundation, a definitive 
work on local history and economic development. Harry enjoyed reading. 
hiking in the woods, gardening, collecting antiques, and traveling.
  Harry is survived by his daughter, Janet Martin of Tupelo, as well as 
by his nieces and nephews and their families and a host of friends, 
respecters of his purpose-filled life and his economic development 
family all about the State of Mississippi and nationwide.

                          ____________________