MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2003 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Banks, Clarke, Bailey, Clark, Coleman (65th), Dickson, Evans, Flaggs, Fleming, Fredericks, Gibbs, Green, Holland, Holloway, Huddleston, Livingston, Middleton, Myers, Robinson (63rd), Scott (80th), Straughter, Thomas, Wallace, Watson, West, Eads
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. JAMES HOWARD MEREDITH AS A LIVING LEGEND UPON THE 41ST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF HIS ENTRANCE INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Dr. James Howard Meredith was born June 25, 1933, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, and raised on his family's 84-acre farm in rural Attala County; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from St. Petersburg, Florida, High School in 1951, Dr. Meredith served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1960, which included a three-year tour of duty at Tackikawa Air Force Base in Japan, earning the rank of Sergeant First Class; and
WHEREAS, returning to Mississippi in 1960, Dr. Meredith enrolled at Jackson State University, where he remained until 1961; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Meredith later enrolled in the University of Mississippi on October 1, 1962, becoming the first African-American to enroll and graduate from an all white institution of higher learning in the state, graduating with a bachelor's degree on August 18, 1963, and earning his L.L.B. in 1968 from Columbia University Law School; and
WHEREAS, a civil rights activist, businessman, politician, and author, Dr. Meredith has dedicated his life to supporting individual rights, leading the 1966 "Walk Against Fear," which registered some 300,000 voters, and the 1996 "Black Man's March to the Library"; and
WHEREAS, having written numerous publications, including "Three Years in Mississippi" and "Mississippi: A Volume of Eleven Books," Dr. Meredith was honored in 1997 by the University of Mississippi upon the presentation of his papers, containing over 250 linear feet of personal correspondence, speech and book manuscripts, publications and pamphlets, to the J.D. Williams Library; and
WHEREAS, because of Dr. Meredith's uncommon fortitude and commitment toward working and bringing about social change, many lives have been touched and future generations of scholars from many backgrounds and disciplines will be able to gain a better understanding of the concept of social equality for all; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding individuals such as Dr. Meredith, whose courageous spirit and civil rights legacy will live on forever inspiring many generations to come:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Dr. James Howard Meredith as a living legend and congratulate him upon the 41st anniversary celebration of his historic entrance into the University of Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. James Howard Meredith and the members of the Capitol Press Corps.