MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2014 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (11th), Dawkins, Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Frazier, Jackson (32nd), Jones, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Turner, Horhn, Jordan
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, former South African President Nelson Mandela, whose successful struggle against the apartheid system of racial segregation and discrimination made him a global symbol for the cause of human rights and earned him the Nobel Peace Prize, died December 5, 2013, at the age of 95; and
WHEREAS, Nelson Mandela was a member of the Madiba clan, named after a Themba Chief who ruled in the Transkei in the Eighteenth Century. He was often addressed as Madiba, his clan name, a term of respect; and
WHEREAS, Mandela spent 27 years in South African prisons before his release in 1990. He negotiated with the nation's white leaders toward establishing democracy and was elected South Africa's first Black President in 1994, serving one term. "He will be remembered both inside and outside South Africa as a political saint"; and
WHEREAS, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born to the Thembo Dynasty in Mvezo in the Umtata District of Transkei, South Africa, on July 18, 1918. As a young man, Nelson Mandela became an activist through acts of boycotts, strikes, civil disobedience, and other forms of noncooperation during the fight against apartheid, a system of racial segregation in South Africa; and
WHEREAS, as a leader of the African National Congress (ANC) and the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), Nelson Mandela and nine of his fellow ANC leaders were arrested, charged, and tried for plotting the violent overthrow of the Government of South Africa; and
WHEREAS, on June 12, 1964, eight of the accused, including Nelson Mandela, were sentenced to life imprisonment from 1964 to 1982, Nelson Mandela was incarcerated at Robben Island Prison, off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, before being moved to the Pollsmoor Maximum Security Prison in the Cape Town suburb of Tokai. During the years of his imprisonment, Nelson Mandela became widely accepted as the most significant Black Leader in South Africa and a symbol of resistance against apartheid, discrimination, and injustice; and
WHEREAS, a global movement to release Nelson Mandela and end the South African system of apartheid included international economic sanctions. At 4:14 p.m. on February 11, 1990, Mandela was released from the Victor Verster prison in Paarl after being a political prisoner for 27 years, 6 months, and 1 week. The release of Nelson Mandela was a defining moment in the global effort to end apartheid; and
WHEREAS, in 1993, Nelson Mandela and South African President F.W. de Klerk accepted the Nobel Peace Prize and pledged to continue working toward a democratic, nonracial South Africa. A series of negotiations between the Government of South Africa and the ANC resulted in the abolishment of apartheid and an election in which almost 20,000,000 South Africans of all ethnicities cast their vote under a national policy of universal suffrage; and
WHEREAS, Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as President of the Republic of South Africa on May 10, 1994, and pledged to lead a "united, democratic, nonracial and nonsexist government" for all people of South Africa; and
WHEREAS, from 1991-1994 Senator Hillman Frazier of Jackson, Mississippi, assisted South Africa in making the transition from apartheid government to an all-inclusive government by advising Mr. Nelson Mandela, members of the African National Congress, the South African government and business leaders in setting up a more representative form of government. Senator Frazier served as an election observer, did a comparative analysis of the new constitution and conducted training sessions for the newly elected members of the provincial and national government, stating that "there is a lot of excitement in the air because it is a new South Africa." Since that period several South African students have received their higher education at Jackson State University; and
WHEREAS, during President Mandela's tenure, there were distinct advancements in racial relations as South Africa transitioned from apartheid and minority rule to a country that aspired to achieve reconciliation, equality, and peace. Through President Mandela's leadership, the Spirit of Ubuntu, the African philosophy of the interconnectedness, caring, sharing, and harmony of humanity, has spread throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, in 1999, President Mandela retired to private life in his Town of birth, Qunu, Transkei; and
WHEREAS, the United Nations' delegates jointly introduced a resolution to designate July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day; and
WHEREAS, Nelson Mandela taught us about humanity in the face of inhumanity, and left an unjust world a more just place. He ended apartheid and united a nation, while demonstrating almost supernatural gifts of inner strength, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Few individuals in human history can truly claim a legacy of peace and perseverance like Mandela can. We, as a global community, are fortunate to have benefited from Mandela's greatness and will forever be awed by his brave journey. The State of Mississippi's thoughts and prayers are with his family and the people of South Africa. Let us honor President Mandela's legacy by recommitting ourselves to fight injustice in whatever form it exists, and promote democracy and human rights throughout all corners of the globe:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby join the global community in mourning the loss and honoring the life and legacy of former South African President Nelson Mandela, extend the sympathy of the Legislature to his surviving family and urge all citizens of Mississippi to reflect on the importance of peace, tolerance, democracy, human rights and reconciliation in honor of the world's most recognizable statesman.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to the surviving family of Nelson Mandela, the Nelson Madela Foundation, the United Nations, the President of the United States and members of Mississippi's Congressional delegation and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.