MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Clark

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CAREER OF ROBERT P. MOSES, PIVOTAL CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT ORGANIZER AND DEVELOPER OF THE ALGEBRA PROJECT.

WHEREAS, Robert P. Moses resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with his wife, Dr. Janet Moses, pediatrician; they have four children; Mr. Moses was born and raised in Harlem, and received his B.A. in 1956 from Hamilton College; in 1957, he received a M.A. in philosophy from Harvard University and taught mathematics at the Horace Mann School in New York City from 1958-1961; and

WHEREAS, a pivotal Civil Rights Movement organizer and Field Secretary for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Robert directed its Mississippi project; a driving force behind the 1964 Mississippi Summer Project, he helped organize the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP), which challenged the Mississippi regulars at the 1964 Democratic Convention; from 1969 to 1975 he worked for the Ministry of Education in Tanzania, where he was chairperson of the math department at the Samé School; and

WHEREAS, in 1976, Mr. Moses returned to Harvard, pursuing doctoral studies in philosophy; a MacArthur Fellow from 1982-1987, Robert used his fellowship to work full time teaching algebra to 7th and 8th graders, volunteering at the M.L. King Elementary School in Cambridge; during that period, Mr. Moses developed the concept for The Algebra Project, which has been the main focus of his work for the last thirteen years; author of The Algebra Project's Transition Curriculum-Book I, Robert continues to develop curriculum, and is one of the project's principal trainers; and

WHEREAS, we proudly recognize the career and achievements of this individual who has influenced so many lives in the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the career of Mr. Robert P. Moses, pivotal Civil Rights Movement organizer and developer of The Algebra Project, and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Robert Moses and to members of the Capitol Press Corps.