MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2014 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Simmons (12th), Butler (38th), Clarke, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF COLEMAN HIGH SCHOOL IN GREENVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, AND COMMENDING THE PRESERVATION EFFORTS OF THE GREENVILLE PROGRESSIVE ART AND CIVIC CLUB ON THE OCCASION OF "LIZZIE W. COLEMAN DAY."
WHEREAS, Coleman High School, now Lizzie Coleman Middle School, located on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, in Greenville, Mississippi, was named for Lizzie W. Coleman, who was Principal of the No. 2 Elementary School. Coleman High School was among the first high schools for African-Americans in the Mississippi Delta. The school served as Greenville's main high school for African-Americans until 1970. First located on Nelson Street, the school moved to Cleveland Street in 1922. The present school, designed by Architect N.W. Overstreet, was built in 1952. Lizzie Coleman's motto was "Burn The Midnight Oil! Be Prepared!"; and
WHEREAS, the history and preservation of this iconic building is supported by the Greenville Progressive Art and Civic Club (PACC). The legacy of Mrs. Coleman as an educator in Greenville is honored by the Community of Greenville on the third Sunday in February by designating "Lizzie W. Coleman Day" in Greenville; and
WHEREAS, the Progressive Art and Civic Club (PACC) was organized in Greenville, Mississippi, in the fall of 1957 by a small group of young ladies under the sponsorship of the Modern Art and Civic Club. Miss Thelma Maddox and Mrs. Mable Crawford served as coordinators in assisting the novice group with their organizational plans; and
WHEREAS, the chartered group was composed of: Mesdames Claudia Bush Green, Helen Moore, Yvonne Briggs Green, Alice Walker Maddox, Supora Alexander Toler and Darlene Oates Seard. Mrs. Claudia Green was the club's first President and Mrs. Helen Stewart Moore, its Secretary. Since that time, the club's membership grew to embrace 20 women each year. By a special amendment in October, the club now totals 30 active participants. This club has been a member of the State and National Federation of Colored Women's Clubs since 1959. In the fall of 1968 the President, Mrs. Leonia Dorsey, and Mrs. Mildred Sanders attended the State Convention. Since that time, the club sends delegates to the State, Regional and National Conventions; and
WHEREAS, the major goals of the club are to foster civic, social educational, cultural, and religious development of local residents; to sponsor an annual scholarship in honor of Mrs. Lizzie W. Coleman, one of Greenville's renowned educators; and to sponsor 6 youth groups. In keeping with these goals, the Progressive Arts and Civic Club has sponsored numerous community activities. The early activities of the Club included: collecting and distributing clothes and food for needy families; visiting the nursing homes during various holidays; purchasing school lunches, eyeglasses, Christmas toys and gifts for needy children; encouraging citizenship and voter awareness; sponsoring floats in the Annual Christmas Parade; maintaining a club recreational building; supervising teenage recreation; helping to maintain a gown and pajama bank for local hospitals; providing utility assistance to needy families; and sponsoring an annual program honoring the late Mrs. Lizzie W. Coleman; and
WHEREAS, as the years progressed, the Club's activities expanded to include: sponsoring a program to honor the Modern Art and Civic Club, the oldest local Federated Club; hosting an awards breakfast in honor of some outstanding local leaders; sponsoring an annual dinner for local senior citizens; and conducting awareness workshops for its youth groups; and
WHEREAS, perhaps, the best known and most far-reaching project of the Progressive Arts and Civic Club is the Lizzie W. Coleman scholarship which is awarded annually to local students. The Annual Lizzie W. Coleman Day Program has brought many well-known personalities to Greenville, including former Congressman Mike Espy, now the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture; Robert Walker, former Mayor of Vicksburg, Mississippi; Dr. Delores R. Spikes, President, Southern University System, Chancellor Southern University and A & M College, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Mississippi Black Colleges and Universities Presidents; Dr. William Sutton (Mississippi Valley State University), Dr. Walter Washington (Alcorn State University), Dr. James Heffner (Jackson State University), Dr. W.A. McMillan (Rust College), Dr. Sammie Potts (Mary Holmes Community College), Dr. McKinley Martin (Coahoma Community College); Honorable Unita Blackwell, former President of the National Conference of Black Mayors and former Mayor of Mayersville, Mississippi; Dr. L.C. Dorsey, Executive Director of the Delta Health Center in Mound Bayou, Mississippi; Mr. Joe Clark, America's most famous principal, and subject of the number one hit movie "LEAN ON ME"; and
WHEREAS, the Club contributes to various charitable efforts. These include: contributions to the United Way, March of Dimes, the American Heart Fund, Saint Jude's Hospital, Greenville Day Care, "Back-a-Youth" Program/Boy's and Girl's Club of Washington County, Feed Program, Live Oak Cemetery, Greenville Burn Center and the Delta Resources Committee. The Club contributes yearly to the Oakley Training School, a state-managed facility designed to rehabilitate delinquent youth. PACC also makes annual contributions to the "Christmas House Project" at the Mississippi State Hospital in Whitfield, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, several members of the club have held positions at the Regional, State and District levels. The Club's membership is comprised of varied career and interested individuals as well as business and political leaders. The Club seeks to lift families on the lower rounds of life's ladder to that of higher rounds of educational, civic, social and spiritual attainment; thus, making its motto, "Lifting As We Climb," a living reality; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute to this most public spirited citizen and commend the record of achievement and leadership of this civic organization which is a wonderful example for all in Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the historical significance of Coleman High School in Greenville, Mississippi, and commend the preservation and civic efforts of the Greenville Progressive Art and Civic Club on the occasion of "Lizzie W. Coleman Day" in Greenville, Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to the Mayor and City Council of Greenville, Mississippi, the President of the Progressive Art and Civic Club and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.