House Concurrent Resolution 78

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. EMMA SANDERS AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on June 24, 2020, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mrs. Emma Sanders, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi lost a wonderful friend and dedicated community pillar with the passing of Mrs. Sanders, who was born in Lorman, Mississippi, on September 24, 1928, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we come together to pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan; and

WHEREAS, a truly exquisite woman and esteemed alumnus of Alcorn State University and esteemed educator, who taught at Brinkley and Lanier High Schools in the Jackson Public School district, Mrs. Sanders was also a loyal, faithful and life-long member of the Democratic Party at the county, district, state and national levels, diligently serving on the State Executive Committee for approximately 20 years; and

WHEREAS, astoundingly Mrs. Sanders attended four National conventions as a delegate, and at her first convention, she was a delegate with the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1964, which had a substantial impact, not only on the Mississippi Democratic Party, but on the National Democratic Party and the nation as well; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sanders was also a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado, in 2008 where the United State's first African-American president, Barack Obama, was nominated to run for President as the Democratic Party's nominee; and

WHEREAS, during her involvement in Democratic politics, Mrs. Sanders mounted a congressional campaign in 1966 against John Bell Williams, the state's Fourth Congressional District representative, served as president of The Mississippi Federation of Democratic Women for six years and served as a co-chairperson of the National Federation of Democratic Women's Committee, which was responsible for selecting interns to work for the Democratic National Committee; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sanders' involvement includes services on her county Democratic Executive Committee and working on a volunteer basis for local, district, congressional, state and national democratic candidates, and during the 1996 presidential election, she helped organize and co-chaired "Women in Action" which was organized in support of the Clinton-Gore ticket in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sanders' involvement in the foregoing activities has been strictly on a volunteer basis, however, her most selfless contribution to the state party may have occurred in the early part of 1997, when the Mississippi Democratic Party was without an executive director or other office personnel, and because of financial difficulty was threatened with the possibility of closing its office, and in February 1997, she agreed to serve as office manager on a volunteer basis to prevent the closure of the office; and

WHEREAS, nearly a year and a half later, Mrs. Sanders was still keeping the state Democratic Party's office open on a volunteer basis, and over this period of time, with the assistance and understanding of her husband, William, she was responsible for the day to day operation of the party's headquarters; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sanders also organized and coordinated with the help of other volunteers, the state party's major fundraising event, and the Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner, which was an extraordinary success; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sanders enlisted and inspired the volunteer services of family, friends and other persons, and although she was not a person of independent means, her volunteer efforts take on an added significance because they come at a great personal sacrifice of not only a financial consideration, but also the contribution of valuable time which might otherwise be spent with her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sanders was tremendously dedicated to serving her community, and because of her selfless efforts and her continued diligence to bettering the lives of those around her, the Executive Committee gave her its Fannie Lou Hamer Award in 1997, and in June 1998, the Mississippi Democratic Party's State Executive Committee voted unanimously to nominate her for the Lawrence O'Brien Democratic Party Achievement Award, with the vote being a clear reflection of the appreciation and recognition on the part of the Executive Committee of her hard work and substantial contribution to the Democratic Party; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sanders was a woman of uncompromised dedication to such a noble cause, serving in many phenomenal capacities, and she now enjoys the eternal peace described in Luke 2:29, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word"; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Sanders touched the lives of all those who crossed her sweet and charming path, and her positive energy will be forever cherished by her family, friends and others who knew her and experienced her greatness; and

WHEREAS, the memory of Mrs. Sanders, a woman held in the highest regard by friends and family as an inspiring and precious gift from God, will continue to refresh the hearts and memories of her loved ones, including her six children, thirteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and dear friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage Mrs. Sanders's family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by her earthly departure in Revelation 21:4, wherein is recorded, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" and renewed in their faith that she fulfilled the commandment of II Timothy 4:7 by "having fought a good fight, finishing her course and keeping the faith until the hour of her departure was at hand"; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and honor the lives of outstanding Mississippians, especially those such as Mrs. Emma Sanders, a gracious woman who loved her family, friends and community unconditionally, bringing honor and glory to the State of Mississippi:

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 Mrs. Emma Sanders, and express our deepest sympathy to her family and friends upon her passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mrs. Emma Sanders and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.