MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Broomfield, Clarke, Bailey, Banks, Burnett, Calhoun, Clark, Cockerham, Coleman (29th), Coleman (65th), Espy, Flaggs, Gardner, Gibbs, Harrison, Huddleston (30th), Johnson, Middleton, Perkins, Scott, Smith (27th), Straughter, Thomas, Watson, Williams-Barnes, Wooten
A RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TROOPERS COMMISSIONED TO THE MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL.
WHEREAS, on Father's Day, June 18, 1972, the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol commenced the training of 52 cadets, five of which were African Americans, to become the next class of troopers added to the Department of Public Safety; and
WHEREAS, after several efforts by African Americans to join the ranks of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol after the Civil Rights Movement and civil litigation instituted by Frank Parker and Constance Slaughter-Harvey to remove the ethnic disparity within the department, James Cheeks of Canton, Walter Crosby of Hattiesburg, Arthur Marble of Gulfport, Richard Williams of Magnolia and Lewis Younger of Yazoo City, broke the racial barrier as cadets; and
WHEREAS, on September 1, 1972, three of the original five African-American cadets graduated as commissioned officers, and historically became legends and trailblazers for other African Americans to apply and be accepted for enrollment in future training classes to become productive and contributing members of the State Trooper force; and
WHEREAS, Walter Crosby was assigned to the Gulfport District, Troop 8 Enforcement, where he served ten years before transitioning away from the Highway Safety Patrol in 1982 with the rank of sergeant; and
WHEREAS, Lewis Younger was assigned to the Jackson District, Troop 1 Enforcement, where he rendered 20 years of exceptional service to the citizens of Mississippi before his retirement as a major in 1992; and
WHEREAS, Richard Williams was also assigned to the Jackson District, Driver's License Division, where he provided 26 years of remarkable service before retiring in 1992 as a master sergeant; and
WHEREAS, having had to overcome personal and professional obstacles and improprieties within the department during their service periods, these forerunners for equality served with distinction and integrity under as many as six gubernatorial administrations, including those of Governors William Waller, Cliff Finch, William Winter, William "Bill" Allain, Ray Mabus and Kirk Fordice; and
WHEREAS, since the chartering cadets entered the commissioned ranks of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol in 1972, more than 196 African Americans throughout the state have been commissioned and are currently serving as ranking officers in various areas of the Department of Public Safety, evidencing the great strides made to ensure equitable representation of Mississippi's demographic composition; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize the fortitude of individuals who blaze paths for future generations of Mississippians to make substantial advancements in various aspects of their personal, professional and educational pursuits, as indicated by these Troopers:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby acknowledge the 40th anniversary of the first African-American Troopers commissioned to the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, express appreciation for their services rendered and display of professionalism and comradery, and express sincere wishes for continued success in all of their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Division of the Highway Safety Patrol, to James Cheeks, Walter Crosby, Arthur Marble, Richard Williams, Lewis Younger and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.