Session 2000
Effective: March 24, 2000
SENATE RESOLUTION No. 1827
A� Resolution in memory of Steve Harper.
� � � WHEREAS,� Steve Harper, a long-time outdoor writer and photographer for the Wich-
ita Eagle, died February 6, 2000, of cancer at age 55; and

� � � WHEREAS,� Steve Harper was a wanderer of the back roads and byways of the state
and a person who saw something special and unique in everything in his path. His habit
of stopping to talk to farmers in their fields and of frequenting small town cafes caused
him to be acquainted with a myriad of Kansans. In 1990 he published "83,000 Square
Miles: No Lines, No Waiting," a compilation of his day-trip columns and spectacular pho-
tographs that urged Kansans to explore Kansas' treasures. Former Kansas governor Mike
Hayden called Harper "the conscience of the outdoor community"; and

� � � WHEREAS,� Steve Harper, a third-generation Kansan, was born August 26, 1944, in
Newton and graduated from Newton High School in 1962. He completed a tour of duty
in the U.S. Air Force before attending the Brooks Institute of Photography and Fine Arts
in Santa Barbara, California, where he earned a bachelor's degree in motion pictures. After
spending a few years as a genuine California hippie, he returned to Kansas in 1971 to take
a job as the production department manager of the audio-visual center at Wichita State
University. Upon joining the Wichita Eagle as director of photography he began his day
trips to discover Kansas. Thomas Koetting, former Eagle reporter, said "To me, Steve
epitomized so much of what the state is all about. He taught me that you have to slow
down and look closely to really understand and appreciate Kansas. And when you do, it's
truly one of the most beautiful places you've seen"; and

� � � WHEREAS,� The Steve Harper scholarship fund has been established by Governor Bill
Graves and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to honor Steve Harper's career
and his interest in and love of Kansas. The fund will endow scholarships for Kansas students
entering a Kansas college or university to study photography or natural resources. The fund
will be established through Kansas Wildscape, a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to
outdoor activities. Wildscape will seek contributions from individuals and corporations;
contributions may be sent to the Steve Harper Scholarship Fund, c/o Kansas Wildlife, P.O.
Box 4029, Lawrence, Kansas 66046; and

� � � WHEREAS,� Steve Harper is survived by his wife, Charlotte, three daughters, Alicia,
Audrey and Rachel, and two grandchildren: Now, therefore,

� � � Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas:�That we express our appreciation
for Steve Harper's teaching us about the natural wonders of Kansas and express our sym-
pathy to his family and friends; and

� � � Be it further resolved:�That the Secretary of the Senate be directed to provide an
enrolled copy of this resolution to Mrs. Steve Harper, 512 Myrtle, Newton, Kansas 67114
and to the Wichita Eagle, P. O. Box 820, Wichita, Kansas 67201.

� � � Senate Resolution No. 1827 was sponsored by Senators Ranson, Becker, Downey, Feleciano, Harrington, Kerr, Lawrence, Oleen and Petty.