Read the full stored bill text
S. R. No. 13 *SS36/R695* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
26/SS36/R695
PAGE 1 (rdd\kr)
To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Senator(s) Chassaniol, McCaughn,
England, McLendon, Michel, Simmons (12th),
Thomas, Simmons (13th)
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 13
A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI 1
SENATE TO MISSISSIPPI MASTER CHAIRMAKER GREG HARKINS OF 2
THOMASTOWN, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2026 GOVERNOR'S 3
ARTS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TRADITIONAL CRAFT. 4
WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards program has announced its 5
2026 recipients, which include internationally celebrated 6
Mississippi Craftsman Greg Harkins of Thomastown/Jackson, 7
Mississippi, as the 2026 Governor's Arts Award recipient for 8
Excellence in Traditional Craft; and 9
WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards program signifies the 10
important relationship between government and the arts. 11
Established in 1988, the Governor's Arts Awards program recognizes 12
individuals and organizations who have made noteworthy 13
contributions to or achieved artistic excellence in Mississippi 14
and is the most prestigious award for living artists in the state. 15
The Mississippi Arts Commission presents the awards each year in 16
partnership with the Governor's Office. The 38th Governor's Arts 17
Awards ceremony is February 12, 2026, at The Westin Jackson. The 18
Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) and the Governor's Office are 19
S. R. No. 13 *SS36/R695* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R695
PAGE 2 (rdd\kr)
pleased to announce four outstanding artists and one legacy arts 20
organization as recipients of the 2026 Governor's Arts Awards; and 21
WHEREAS, Greg Harkins is a Master Chairmaker with 50 years of 22
experience creating heirloom-quality furniture, most notably his 23
iconic rocking chairs. He has traveled across the country to 24
showcase his work at festivals and exhibitions, earning national 25
and international recognition through numerous magazine and 26
newspaper articles, television interviews, and documentaries. 27
However, no matter how far he roams or what offers he receives, 28
Greg always returns to Mississippi. It remains his guiding star, 29
providing him with clarity, purpose, and inspiration. Mississippi 30
grounds him, connecting his past to his present and shaping his 31
future; and 32
WHEREAS, Greg's Irish Catholic roots stretch back seven 33
generations in Mississippi. Raised in Jackson, he spent summers 34
in Thomastown, exploring the woods around his family's farm. It 35
was only natural for him to return to his roots in Thomastown 36
after graduating from Mississippi State University in 1976. 37
There, Greg says he "feels the spirits of his ancestors," both as 38
a metaphor and as a true presence. "On the farm," he reflects, "I 39
was always taller, stronger, smarter, and wiser." During this 40
time, Greg began an apprenticeship with Master Chairmaker Tom 41
Bell. "Mr. Bell was my mentor," Greg recalls. "He taught me 42
every angle of chairmaking as he knew it. Mr. Bell and his wife, 43
Mabel, taught me a way of life." In 1978, Greg's journey as a 44
S. R. No. 13 *SS36/R695* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R695
PAGE 3 (rdd\kr)
chairmaker took root with the founding of Harkins Woodworks in 45
Vaughan; and 46
WHEREAS, just two years later, Greg's career took a dramatic 47
turn. In August 1980, President and Mrs. Reagan attended the 48
Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, Mississippi. During their 49
visit, Greg presented the President with one of his rocking 50
chairs. A photograph of Mrs. Reagan sitting on the President's 51
lap in Greg's chair quickly made headlines and spread around the 52
world. In that moment, Greg Harkins was propelled onto the 53
national and international stage; and 54
WHEREAS, Greg is internationally celebrated for his 55
craftsmanship. His furniture can be found in all 50 states and 56
more than 35 countries worldwide. Over the years, his work has 57
been gifted to a long list of distinguished individuals, including 58
six Presidents, two Vice Presidents, numerous members of Congress, 59
and various celebrities. Greg was invited twice to the Oval 60
Office to present his rocking chairs. Perhaps the most meaningful 61
honor of his career came when he built a rocking chair for Pope 62
John Paul II, an especially profound moment for Greg as a devout 63
Catholic. Despite these high-profile commissions, Greg's heart 64
remains with the everyday people who have supported him from the 65
beginning. He continues to build chairs for working families 66
across the country. They are the backbone of his business, and he 67
deeply values and respects their loyalty, referring to them as his 68
heroes; and 69
S. R. No. 13 *SS36/R695* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R695
PAGE 4 (rdd\kr)
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Greg has proudly served as a 70
cultural ambassador for Mississippi. He represents the state with 71
heart, humor, and a unique ability to connect with people. Greg's 72
work symbolizes the state's heritage and hospitality. A 10-foot-73
tall Harkins Chair sits at the Mississippi Agricultural Museum. 74
His chairs were displayed in China by the Delta Regional Planning 75
Board as part of an exhibition promoting Mississippi-made 76
products. For over a decade, Greg brought his chairs to the 77
Mississippi Picnic in Central Park, New York City. Travelers 78
passing through Mississippi Welcome Centers can rest in one of 79
Greg's rocking chairs, a quiet invitation to experience the 80
state's warmth and tradition. Greg's work was also featured in a 81
cultural exchange with Fujisawa East, Jackson's sister city in 82
Japan. At Table 100 Restaurant in Flowood, Mississippi, guests 83
can dine at a Harkins table and chairs made from a tree felled by 84
Hurricane Katrina, a powerful tribute to resilience and 85
craftsmanship; and 86
WHEREAS, even after 50 years, Greg continues to push forward. 87
For the past four years, he has mentored his apprentice, Hodges 88
Boland, passing down the craft he has spent a lifetime preserving. 89
Plans are underway to fulfill long-held dreams of establishing the 90
St. Anne School of Arts and Crafts on Greg's property in Canton. 91
The school will offer a diverse range of classes taught by artists 92
in disciplines such as glassblowing, flintknapping, pottery, 93
woodworking, and more. Greg is collaborating with Mississippi 94
S. R. No. 13 *SS36/R695* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R695
PAGE 5 (rdd\kr)
ST: Recognize Master Craftsman Greg Harkins as
recipient of the 2026 Governor's Arts Award for
Excellence in Traditional Craft.
filmmaker Cotton Yancey on a 24-minute documentary that explores 95
Greg's life, legacy, and meticulous chairmaking process. The film 96
will be entered into film festivals across the country, showcasing 97
Cotton's work and providing a powerful platform to share Greg's 98
full story with a broader audience; and 99
WHEREAS, Greg Harkins' long and storied career has remained 100
deeply rooted in the heart of Mississippi. Through his unmatched 101
craftsmanship, outstanding work ethic, and lifelong service as an 102
ambassador for our state's cultural heritage, he has elevated 103
Mississippi on both national and international stages; and 104
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute and 105
express appreciation for the energy of a Mississippi craftsman who 106
has made Mississippi a better place and exemplifies the charitable 107
and artistic/craft traditions of our great state: 108
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF 109
MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby extend the recognition of the 110
Mississippi Senate to Mississippi Master Chairmaker Greg Harkins 111
of Thomastown, Mississippi, as the recipient of the 2026 112
Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Traditional Crafts and 113
extend our congratulations to this outstanding craftsman and civic 114
leader on this auspicious occasion. 115
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to 116
Greg Harkins and made available to the Capitol Press Corps. 117