House Engrossed

Victor E. Hardy; death resolution

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2055

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

on the death of the Reverand Victor Elsberry Hardy.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

The Reverand Victor Elsberry Hardy passed away on March 22, 2025.

Victor E. Hardy was originally from Portsmouth, Virginia where he graduated from Manor High School, before going on to study music and performance at Norfolk State University.  Victor then joined the military and, after getting out, pursued religious studies at Liberty University.

Victor Hardy married the love of his life, Cynthia, and had three sons together.  He and his family would later move to Arizona where he would find his place in the church.

From 2015 to 2025, the Reverand Victor Hardy made history as the first African American solo officiating pastor at the Congregational Church of the Valley in Chandler. He also became the first and only African American Executive Director of co-founder Jon McHatton's For Our City Chandler civic group.  In 2011, he co-founded Chandler Men of Action, an organization that hosted its first African American Scholarship Banquet in February 2012.

The Reverand Victor Hardy was ordained on September 16, 2012, and proudly served as a servant of God since that time.  He was the solo pastor after serving as associate minister at Congregational Church of the Valley in Chandler, in fellowship with the National Congregation Christian Church of North America.  This year would have marked his tenth year as the church's pastor.

The Reverand Victor Hardy loved all God's children and was steadfast to encourage them to the pathway to righteousness. He invited the community to visit the house of God by hosting various community events and allowing other community groups to use the church for their events.  Additionally, he reconnected the church with some nonprofit groups that the church sponsored over the years.

The Reverand Victor Hardy is lovingly remembered by his devoted wife, Cynthia, and their sons, David, Julian and Patrick.  His many friends and parishioners will continue to carry forward his legacy through the stories, memories and values he instilled in them.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

That the Members of the Legislature express sincere regret at the passing of the Reverand Victor Elsberry Hardy and extend their deepest sympathies to his surviving family members.