House Resolution 35

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, SERVICE AND LEGACY OF THE CITY OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI'S MOST HONORABLE MAYOR CHOKWE LUMUMBA, AND EXPRESSING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO HIS FAMILY, COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the heaven," and as such, the grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Honorable Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, to eternal rest, as he has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, on Tuesday, February 25, 2014, the State of Mississippi, and particularly the City of Jackson, lost a visionary leader, icon and promoter of educational success and economic sustainability, with the passing of Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, reputably esteemed as the embodiment of a living history lesson on the juxtaposed relationship between civil rights and American-style justice, who departed this earthly sojourn to make life's transition to the spirit realm of mighty chieftains and ambassadors for civil equality and justice, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, the capital city of Jackson, Mississippi, and his myriad of friends, colleagues and clientele; and

WHEREAS, born as Edwin Finley Taliaferro on August 2, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan, the second of eight children born to his late parents, Lucien and Priscilla Francis Taliaferro, Mayor Lumumba, a learned and well-versed officer of the court, possessed nearly 40 years of laudable service as a civil rights and criminal defense attorney, activist and peoples' champion before his election to public office as council representative for Jackson's Ward Two seat in 2009, which positioned him for his subsequent and successful bid for the Office of Mayor on June 5, 2013, commencing with his receiving the administration of the oath of office on July 1, 2013; and

WHEREAS, from his St. Theresa High School graduation, to his matriculation at Kalamazoo College resulting in the receipt of his bachelor's degree in Political Science, to finishing first in his Wayne State University Law School graduating class with magna cum laude distinction, Mayor Lumumba was a nationally known barrister having been admitted to practice in Michigan, Mississippi and the United States Federal Courts with clients in more than 16 jurisdictions, including Canada and the Choctaw Court, and having successfully represented such high profile, iconic and justiciably symbolic clients as Assata Shakur, Tupac Shakur, Lance Parker and Scott Sisters, Gladys and Jamie; and

WHEREAS, a testamentary archetype of deferential pride and meek humility, Mayor Lumumba's enduring life's legacy chronicles a journey often times mischaracterized as extremist due to his zealous advocacy for political activism and civil rights impressed upon him by his mother, which ultimately manifested itself into an epic adventure of selfless devotion to rewriting the fate of indigent and derelict people by eradicating an incessant plight of poverty through his philanthropic humanitarianism of "paying it forward" and emphasis on education; and

WHEREAS, universally respected as a man of honor and vision, Mayor Lumumba crisscrossed the globe to fight for "Human Rights for Human Beings," and was known for the wise counsel and mentorship provided in countless hours of organizing, directing and coaching over the course of 20 years devoted to many youth programs such as Jackson Panthers Basketball Organizations, who was affectionately referred to as "Baba" Chokwe, interpreted from the Swahili language to mean "Father" Chokwe; and

WHEREAS, in the wake of devastation wrought by mother nature, he supported the survivors of Hurricane Katrina by serving on the Board of the People's Hurricane Relief Fund, organizing other activists to form the Mississippi Disaster Relief Coalition and co-organizing the Gulf Coast Survivors Assembly; and

WHEREAS, with broad experiences and wide-ranging accomplishments, Mayor Lumumba, a God-fearing Christian before all other roles he assumed, cherished life and the tasks assigned to him upon his earthly travailing, possessed an ambitious spirit akin to that of King David, being a man after God's own heart as he led by example and his willingness to serve and be of service to others, as demonstrated by his professional, civic and governmental affiliations and his devout membership of Word and Worship Christian Church; and

WHEREAS, in eight months of transformational service as Mayor, Lumumba orchestrated a campaign of reform to revolutionize the perception and marketability of the City of Jackson with the twin goals of political and economic democracy to be accomplished by forming a coalition that transcended the barriers of race, education, religious preference and socio-economic status, and capable of ultimately achieving "One City, One Aim, One Destiny," which was touted as the paramount theme of his mayoral campaign platform; and

WHEREAS, equally as effective as an elected official as he was standing before the judiciary, Mayor Lumumba donned a reputation that preceded him wherever the paths of life led, as he was held in high esteem and elicited the utmost respect from those in his counsel, and in return bequeathed that same level of respect to others; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Lumumba, a distinguished individual by design, established virtuosity and service, will always be known for his matter-of-fact approach to effectuating change and his proficiency in corralling a strong support base to get those changes accomplished, as made evident by the widespread grassroots campaign to implement the one percent local sales tax option referendum, which passed with an overwhelming 90% voter support in January 2014, and which went into effect on March 1, 2014; and

WHEREAS, the essence of Mayor Lumumba's existence can be defined in a famous quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of Mayor Lumumba's protégés, which states, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy," which summarizes the impervious ambition of an intrepid leader of Mayor Lumumba's caliber; and

WHEREAS, though he has now traversed the threshold that separates the sanctum of mortal life on this blessed earth from the immortality afforded by life's eternal ever after, to be reunited with the welcoming spirit of his wife of 32 years, Nubia Alake Lumumba, who preceded him to life after mortality, the unforgettable legacy of Mayor Lumumba's service and commitment to mankind will continue to resonate in the lives of his survivors, all of whom will miss "Baba" very much, including: children, Kambon Mutope, Rukia Kai and Chokwe Antar Lumumba; one grandson, Qadir Lumumba-Benjamin; and a host of other relatives, diplomats, colleagues and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is with sincere humility that we recognize and commend the life and accomplishments of a legend in our own time, Honorable Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, whose life, like a glowing ceremonial flame in the pomp and circumstance of a sacred African tribal consecration, leapt and danced in ritualistic form to the night wind's time and cadence, before yielding itself to the kindred spirits at the glimmer of a new day's dawn, yet continuing to permeate the atmosphere with the fragrant aromatics of hope and inspiration:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life, service and legacy of Honorable Mayor Chokwe Lumumba and extend our consolation, compassion and prayers to his family, the citizens of Jackson, Mississippi, his colleagues and friends upon their loss.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, the Jackson City Council and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.