House Concurrent Resolution 75

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. NORMAN SMITH.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the Heaven," and as such on Wednesday, November 19, 2014, the grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved Mr. Norman Smith to eternal rest, as he made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, friends and students; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the City of Greenwood, Mississippi, lost a wonderful friend, community leader and teacher with the passing of Mr. Smith, who was born in Greenwood, Mississippi, to the late Richard and Fannie Mae Hampton-Smith on July 4, 1938; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Smith confessed a childhood hope in Christ at an early age and was faithfully baptized, and joined East Percy Street Christian Church and later Wesley United Methodist Church and now enjoys eternal peace because as the awesome Word of God in the Book of Luke, Chapter 2, Verse 29 states, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word," which may bring peace of mind to his friends and family; and

WHEREAS, upon receiving his formal education and graduating from Broad Street High School in 1958, Mr. Smith joined the ranks of an elect fraternity of soldiers in the United States Army Reserve; and

WHEREAS, after he patriotically and heroically served his country, Mr. Smith, who was consumed with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, furthered his education by attending one year at Arizona State University and graduating with a bachelor of science degree in political science and a master's degree in special education from Jackson State University; and

WHEREAS, ever the diligent worker, with a desire to mold and educate the minds of young people, Mr. Smith was employed for many years as an outstanding educator and mentor for students in Greenwood and the surrounding school districts, and he also educated the impressionable pupils at Mississippi Valley State University; and

WHEREAS, in 1979, Mr. Smith was elected as one of the two first African-American Leflore County Constables, and he dutifully served in that position until 1999; and

WHEREAS, possessing a bright mind, eager to inquire into the histories of the City of Greenwood, Leflore County, and the State of Mississippi, Mr. Smith was a renown historian in his community, and as he was destined to be a servant to the people of Greenwood, whom he loved dearly, Mr. Smith ran for City Councilman for Ward 5 in the 2013 election; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Smith was a committed member of Elks Lodge #640, the Greenwood Voters' League and the Leflore County Branch of the National Associations for the Advancement of Colored People; and

WHEREAS, because a lifetime of allegiance and faithful service to one's community simply does not go unnoticed, Mr. Smith received the National Civil Rights Library's 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award for his life's work within the community; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Smith was held in the highest regard by family and friends, and he was revered as a voice for the voiceless and engulfed himself in the role that is proclaimed in Proverbs 31:8, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute"; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur,

including six of his siblings, the legacy of Mr. Smith's memory will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors: brothers, Hampton (Charlene) Smith and Bill Wade Smith; nephews, Frederick Charles Smith and Cory Harris; nieces, Belinda Smith Hinds, Brenda Smith and Shelah (Raymond) Terry; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to acknowledge the selflessness and benevolence of such a humanitarian and affectionate individual of esteemed caliber as Mr. Norman Smith:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mr. Norman Smith, and extend sincere and deepest sympathy to his family, friends and students upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Norman Smith and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.