MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Gibbs (72nd), Banks, Clarke, Holloway, Bell (65th), Brown (70th), Crudup, Dortch, Foster, Rosebud, Summers
A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING MRS. ALICE THOMAS-TISDALE UPON BEING NAMED THE PUBLISHER EMERITUS OF THE JACKSON ADVOCATE AFTER 38 YEARS OF DEDICATED AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE.
WHEREAS, Alice Thomas-Tisdale has the distinguished honor of being named the Publisher Emeritus of the Jackson Advocate after an impressive 38-year career with the publication; and
WHEREAS, she began her tenure with the Jackson Advocate as a humble newspaper carrier, and with diligence and hard work earned her way up the ranks as a columnist, office manager, graphic designer, photojournalist, sports editor and associate publisher; and
WHEREAS, bittersweet was her promotion to publisher in 2007, as it followed her beloved husband, Charles Tisdale's passing; and
WHEREAS, Alice Thomas-Tisdale has utilized her education from Washington Park High School and Washington State University to create insightful and intriguing articles that educate the community on numerous topics, most importantly, quality of life issues; and
WHEREAS, she is not only a creative storyteller, but she is also a passionate community activist who has passionately fought for the rights of HIV/AIDS victims; and
WHEREAS, a Metlife fellow, she has extensive training in health journalism, including Families USA and New America Media and her writings offer a holistic and broad perspective, which was crafted by her many travels to several countries; and
WHEREAS, some of her most captivating work includes her reports on the land issue in Zimbabwe, Africa; the slavery issue in Sudan, Africa; the African-American business opportunities in Japan; human rights issues in Kazakhstan; the International AIDS Conferences in Barcelona, Spain, Bangkok, Thailand, and Toronto, Canada, from an African-American perspective; the achievements of African-American female pilots in France and global warming in Iceland; and
WHEREAS, her works are highly regarded by her peers and have garnered her numerous honors, which include the Jackson State University Kids Kollege Hall of Fame, Medgar Wiley Evers Family Lifetime Achievement Award, NAACP Legacy Award, SCLC Service Award, City of Jackson Martin Luther King Jr. Woman of the Year Award, Margaret Walker Alexander Literary Award, Forward Lookers Excellence in Journalism Award, and most recently, induction into the University of Southern Mississippi Journalism Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, she has received countless resolutions from the City of Jackson, Hinds County, Mississippi, and the State of Mississippi, and had a day named in her honor in Jackson County, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, because she believes in giving back to her roots, she is an honorary member of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association and the Brinkley High School National Alumni Association; and
WHEREAS, beyond all of her professional and social accolades, her most treasured accomplishment is being the mother to her daughter, DeAnna, an accomplished classical singer; and
WHEREAS, even though her husband has passed this life, she is most appreciative to her late husband, Charles Tisdale, for providing the opportunities associated with working with the Black Press; and
WHEREAS, it is written in I Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you," and Mrs. Thomas-Tisdale proudly and often credits her love for God when accepting any honor thrust upon her; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life and works of Mississippians, such as Mrs. Alice Thomas-Tisdale, whose works bring great honor to the state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Mrs. Alice Thomas-Tisdale on being named the Publisher Emeritus of the Jackson Advocate after her 38 years of dedicated and meritorious service to the publication.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Alice Thomas-Tisdale, the Jackson Advocate and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.