Senate Resolution 57

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE PASSING OF EMMA SANDERS, LIFELONG MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE SENATE TO HER SURVIVING FAMILY.

WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that we note the passing of Emma Sanders on June 24, 2020, an educator in the Jackson Public School District at Brinkley High School, owner of Sanders Business School, and a loyal, faithful and lifelong member of the Democratic Party at all levels. Mrs. Sanders served on the State Executive Committee for more than 30 years; and

WHEREAS, she attended many National conventions as a delegate. Mrs. Sanders was a delegate with the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1964. This event had a substantial impact, not only on the Mississippi Democratic Party, but on the National Democratic Party and the nation. She was also a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, in 2008, where the first African American President, Barack Obama, was nominated to run for President as the Democratic Party's nominee. In addition, she was a delegate in 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the first woman, Hillary Clinton, was the Democratic Nominee for President; and

WHEREAS, during her involvement in democratic politics over the years, she served as President of the Mississippi Federation of Democratic Women for six years. Mrs. Sanders, also, served as a co-chairperson of the National Federation of Democratic Women's Committee responsible for selecting interns to work for the Democratic National Committee. Mrs. Sanders' involvement included services on her county Democratic Executive Committee, working on a volunteer basis for local, district, congressional, state and national democratic candidates. During the 1996 Presidential Election, she helped organize and co-chaired "Women in Action," which was organized in support of the Clinton-Gore ticket in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sanders' involvement in the foregoing activities had been strictly on a volunteer basis. However, her most selfless contribution to the state party may have occurred in the early part of 1997. At that time, the Mississippi Democratic Party was without an executive director or other office personnel, and because of financial difficulty was threatened with the possibility of closing its office. In February 1997, Mrs. Sanders agreed to serve as Office Manager on a volunteer basis to prevent the closure of the office. A year and a half later, she was still keeping the state party's office open on a volunteer basis. Over this period of time, with the assistance and understanding of her husband, William, Mrs. Sanders was responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Mississippi Democratic Party's headquarters; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sanders also organized and coordinated, with the help of other volunteers, the state party's major fundraising event, the Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner. This event was an extraordinary success. Aside from her obvious dedication, Mrs. Sanders enlisted and inspired the volunteer services of family, friends and other persons as well; and

WHEREAS, although Mrs. Sanders was not a person of independent means, her volunteer efforts were even more significant because they came at a great personal sacrifice. Not only was it a financial sacrifice, but it also involved the contribution of valuable time which might have otherwise been spent with her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, in appreciation of her contributions, the Executive Committee presented her with the Fannie Lou Hammer Award in 1997. In June 1998, the Mississippi Democratic Party's State Executive Committee voted unanimously to nominate Mrs. Emma Sanders for the Lawrence O'Brien Democratic Party Achievement Award. This vote was a clear reflection of the appreciation and recognition on the part of the Executive Committee of Mrs. Sanders' hard work and substantial contribution to the Democratic Party; and

WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish the memory of this most public-spirited citizen of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the passing of Emma Sanders, lifelong member of the Democratic Party State Executive Committee, and express sympathy of the Senate to her surviving family.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mrs. Sanders' family, forwarded to the President of the Mississippi Democratic Party, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.