House Resolution 71

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS CORPORAL DAVID POTTS, SR., RENDERED TO THIS STATE AND NATION AS ONE OF THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN MARINES AND MEMBER OF THE HISTORIC MONTFORD POINT MARINES.

WHEREAS, the City of Gulfport, Mississippi, is proud to be considered the home of community friend and historical legend, United States Marine Corps Corporal David Potts, Sr., a member of the Montford Point Marines, the first African-American Marines training facility established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942; and

WHEREAS, from his humble beginnings as the third of eight children born in Montgomery, Alabama, to his late parents, Mr. Robert Potts and Mrs. Emma Boykin Potts on June 20, 1924, Mr. Potts was raised on the premier tenets of faith, education and perseverance, along with his four brothers and three sisters, and united in Christian fellowship with Mount Calvary Baptist Church not long after his family relocated from Montgomery to Gulfport, Mississippi, when he was five years of age; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from 33rd Avenue High School, Mr. Potts answered the patriotic call of duty, proving to be both a distinguished officer and gentleman, he was inducted into the elite fraternity of the "always faithful" United States Marine Corps on May 14, 1943, as a member of the Montford Point Marines, and shouldered the privilege of upholding the banner of protecting the rights and freedoms afforded us in the iconic symbol of Lady Liberty from 1943 to 1946 while serving during World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, before receiving an honorable discharge; and

WHEREAS, the historical significance of the Montford Point Marines, as the first all African-American training facility at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, carries great weight among veterans throughout the nation, having trained some 20,000 African-American recruits during its operative years of 1942 until its closing in 1949 whose valor and performance while serving in Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Pelelieu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa proved more than honorably tantamount to that of their comrades without regard to race, color, creed or national origin; and

WHEREAS, upon his return home, Corporal Potts united in holy matrimony with his first love, Miss Elvera Cooley, bequeathing to her his heart and his last name, and shortly thereafter, embarked upon the responsibility of making an earnest living for his wife and soon growing family of four sons and three daughters by attending several trade schools and completing several technical courses, which would all work concertedly to enable him to capitalize on entrepreneurship when he opened Potts Home Appliance in 1973; and

WHEREAS, in addition to operating his own successful business establishment, Corporal Potts also served his fellow comrades of battle by devoting 27 years of extended and revered service for Veterans Affairs in Gulfport before retiring to devote his time to his booming appliance business; and

WHEREAS, as a resident and esteemed citizen and community pillar, Corporal Potts has experienced the transformational changes of American society and various moments of iconic history, and continues to rely wholeheartedly on God as the driving force to sustain and motivate him through the circumstances, trials and triumphs of life, which resonates with his profound faith and the unyielding support of his family through an exemplary life of exuding the love of Christ as evidenced by his service as a loyal member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church where he was ordained as a deacon on May 9, 1972; and

WHEREAS, he subsequently united in fellowship with the Forrest Heights Baptist Church in 1986, where he continues his faithful service as Chairman of the Deacon Board, Vice Chairman of the Trustee Board, Second Vice President of the State Brotherhood Layman's Association, National Baptist Convention delegate, Benevolent Fund Treasurer and former president of the Gulf Coast District Brotherhood from 1990 to 1997; and

WHEREAS, in addition to fulfilling the obligations owed his church, Corporal Potts' social and civic affiliations serve as the preeminent benchmark of excellence, rooted initially in civil rights activism, and his notable leadership presence and rapport as a Master Mason of Soria City Lodge #542 and a member of the American Legion Post No. 223 serve as the perfect canvas for the backdrop of his life of honor, integrity and prestige, as made known by the numerous honors and awards bestowed upon him, including: receipt of the David Potts Distinguished Community Service Award on May 7, 1993; receipt of the Montford Point Marines Congressional Gold Medal as a surviving member of the all African-American Montford Point Marines on June 28, 2012; honored by United States Representative Steven Palazzo and Gulfport Mayor George Schloegel as a member of the Montford Point Marines on October 17, 2012; honored by the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System and the Black Heritage Committee during the Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration on January 16, 2013; and

WHEREAS, when God saw fit to send his chariot angels to escort Corporal Potts' first wife, Mrs. Elvera Cooley Potts, to her heavenly home, he was not slack concerning his promise recorded in Proverbs 18:22, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord," and not having him be in lack of love, orchestrated his path to intersect with Ms. Ammie Johnson, with whom he would share his hand in a second marriage; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Potts willingly assumes the patriarchal role of his family, seizing the reins as the unifying tie that binds his family together, as he seeks to always be their provider, and remains instrumental in their support and encouragement, as he sprinkles their lives with nuggets of infinite wisdom and a fervent agape love; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of a remarkably genuine and selfless individual such as Corporal Potts, whose light continues to be a beam of inspiration illuminating the path of hope for all he encounters along this earthly sojourn:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of United States Marine Corps Corporal David Potts, Sr., and express grateful appreciation for the life of service and sacrifice he provided to this nation as one of the first African-American Marines and member of the historic Montford Point Marines.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to United States Marine Corps Corporal David Potts, Sr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.