MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Frazier, Horhn, Harden, Butler (36th), Jones, Brown, Turner, Simmons (12th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Butler (38th), Simmons (13th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND CIVIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR ISAIAH MADISON, THE "ARCHITECT" OF THE HISTORIC AYERS DESEGREGATION CASE.
WHEREAS, friends and colleagues of retired attorney and Jackson State University Political Science Professor Isaiah Madison will remember his sacrifice for equality. Known as the "Architect" of the historic Ayres desegregation case, Isaiah Madison (71) passed away on March 1, 2012; and
WHEREAS, in 1975, Mr. Madison researched and prepared the 37-page lawsuit accusing Mississippi of underfunding its historically black universities - Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State and Alcorn State. The lawsuit resulted in a $503 Million settlement; and
WHEREAS, Isaiah Madison was born February 26, 1941. He was reared in Lake Cormorant, Mississippi. He graduated from Delta Center High School in Walls, Mississippi, in 1960. He went on to receive an Associates Degree from Owens Jr. College in Memphis, Tennessee, and a Bachelor of Arts from Howard University in 1964. He continued his education at Howard where he received his Juris Doctorate. The Reverend Dr. Madison also received a Master's Degree in Political Science from Atlanta University and a Master's Degree in Theology from the International Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Madison taught Political Science at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and taught in the Clinical Law Program at the Howard University School of Law; and
WHEREAS, in 1973, The Reverend Dr. Madison was the lead attorney in the development of the Ayers Case. Dr. Madison was the Founding Chairman of the Black Mississippians' Council on Higher Education. The Council was the support organization that provided financial and organizational assistance to the Ayers effort. Dr. Madison was primarily responsible for the $503,000,000.00 settlement that was reached in the Ayers Case; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Madison was a United Methodist Pastor and Church Leader. He pastored churches in Mississippi and Georgia; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Madison was a prolific writer and author. He published several poems and essays dealing with a wide variety of subjects, ranging from the Law to Social Justice Issues; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Madison was a retired Associate Professor of Political Science at Jackson State University, where he taught courses in Public Law, American Government and Legal Research and Writing. He was also Co-Advisor of the Fannie Lou Hamer Prelaw Society in the department; and
WHEREAS, he was a member of New Dimensions International Ministries, where he served as one of the Assistant Pastors; and
WHEREAS, The Reverend Dr. Madison was married to Carol A. Madison of Memphis, Tennessee. Her son and his stepson, William L. Poston, is serving in the U.S. Navy. Dr. Madison leaves 5 brothers, 4 sisters and a number of other relatives and friends; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Madison worked with the Black Mississippians Council on Higher Education, a grass-roots group that worked the case before the late Jake Ayes, Sr., was named lead plaintiff. He was a legend, an invisible giant. He sacrificed for the people regardless of race. He was for the uplifting of humankind:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the life and civic contributions of Jackson State University Professor Isaiah Madison, known as the "Architect" of the historic Ayers desegregation case against the State of Mississippi, and extend our sympathy to his surviving family on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Dr. Madison, forwarded to the President of Jackson State University, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.