MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Simmons, Posey, Johnson (38th), Gollott, Jordan, Horhn, Harden, Dearing, Dickerson, Walls, Jackson, Turner, Frazier, Stogner, Hewes

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF DR. WALTER WASHINGTON, WHO SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY FROM 1969 TO 1994, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, Dr. Walter Washington, a native of Hazlehurst, Mississippi, pioneer educator and retired President of Alcorn State University, who devoted a quarter-century of leadership to the historically black university in Lorman, Mississippi, passed away on December 1, 1999; and

WHEREAS, following a dozen years as President of then Utica Junior College, Dr. Washington served as Alcorn State University's president for 25 years before retiring in 1994; and

WHEREAS, he received his bachelor's degree from Tougaloo College, his master's degree from Indiana University, an education specialist from Peabody College, a certificate of studies from Yale University and his doctoral degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, attended Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management in 1988, received several honorary degrees including a doctor of laws from Tougaloo College, a doctor of laws from Indiana University and a doctor of science from Purdue University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Washington was a member of several honor societies and the Elks; he served on numerous boards and advisory councils in and out of the state, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, the National Urban League's Black Executive Program, the U.S. President's Advisory Council on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and retired from the Boards of Mississippi Power and Light Company and Entergy Corporation; he served as President of the Mississippi Teachers Association and held membership in the Mississippi Association of Educators and the National Education Association; Dr. Washington received numerous awards, including the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America, the Service to Humanity Award from Mississippi College and state and national 4H Alumnus Recognition Awards. In 1982 he was given the Outstanding Presidential Cluster Citation by President Ronald Reagan; he also was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the USM Alumni Association and has a building named after him on the Hattiesburg campus; he was listed in 12 biographical publications and was listed among Ebony's 100 Most Influential Black Americans in 1974, 1975 and 1976; he was named by the Jackson Daily News panel as one of 12 most influential Mississippians during the 70's; and he was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, serving two terms as southern regional vice president and two terms as general president; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Washington made long-lasting contributions to Mississippi higher education that earned him a national reputation, knew every member of the House and Senate and made each of them feel like they had a vested interest in his beloved Alcorn State University, and was a mentor to so many citizens of the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, THAT we do hereby commend the life of Dr. Walter Washington, President of Alcorn State University from 1969 to 1994, and express the sympathy of the Legislature on his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to former First Lady of Alcorn State University, Dr. Carolyn Washington, and to the President of Alcorn State University, to be placed in the administration building which bears Dr. Washington's name, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.