House Concurrent Resolution 56

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ESTEEMED AND LAUDABLE LEGISLATIVE CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE MOST HONORABLE AND DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM MADISON, REPRESENTATIVE EDWARD BLACKMON, JR., UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WHEREAS, the honorable and distinguished Gentleman from Madison, Representative Edward Blackmon, Jr., has tirelessly worked on behalf of the citizens of Mississippi and House District 57, situated in Madison County, for 41 years from the historical floor of the majestically aesthetic, ornate and hallowed House Chamber; and

WHEREAS, before assuming his seat as the member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from District 57, Representative Blackmon was compelled, at the age of 15, to civic and social activism as an advocate for every facet of quality, after hearing the conversations shared between his father, Edward Blackmon, Sr., and others about the NAACP and the extent of the organization's work during the Civil Rights Movement and efforts to mobilize the Black vote; and

WHEREAS, it was during this period, while sitting in the back of his home church, Canton's Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, that the freedom songs ringing throughout the sanctuary convicted his heart and, in that moment, a young and inspired Edward Jr. made the decision to become a part of the movement to effectuate the change he had so often heard his father discuss, and soon thereafter began attending protests that sought to dismantle the suppression of African-American voter registration efforts; and

WHEREAS, while participating in one such protest rally, a 16-year-old Edward experienced firsthand the cruel bitterness of prejudicial treatment and tainted abuse of authority by law enforcement officers when he and other protesters were tear gassed, arrested and hauled off in the back of a feces-laden chicken truck to be jailed in Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, inspired by Attorney Carsie Hall, who intervened on the protesters' behalf to secure their release from jail, and whose polished appearance and command of respect from Caucasians in positions of authority left him in awe, a rejuvenated Blackmon was determined to follow the same professional path as Hall, even though he was unaware of the nature of Hall's profession at the time of his release; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Rogers High School in Canton, Edward pursued his collegiate studies at the historic Tougaloo College, completing his baccalaureate matriculation in three years, and was also where he took the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) as a freshman, scoring high enough to gain admission to Ole Miss, Notre Dame, Michigan and George Washington University (GWU), ultimately choosing the latter, where he and his lifelong friend, fellow Tougaloo alum, and eventual fellow legislative colleague, Willie Bailey, who helped him navigate the waters of GWU; and

WHEREAS, upon the completion of the requisite study for the conference of his law degree from George Washington University, the younger Blackmon's first order of correcting the societal ills of the State of Mississippi's foreboding past was to reestablish his father's presence in his hometown, after the senior Blackmon was prompted, out of the necessity of fear for his life and the lives of his family, to leave Canton for New York as a result of being blackballed from employment due to his zealous involvement in the Civil Rights Movement; and

WHEREAS, upon his return to Mississippi, and before assuming his seat as the member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from District 57, Representative Blackmon's legal career was birthed at North Mississippi Legal Services in Greenwood, however, the sacred soil of his hometown of Canton, where the flame of advocacy for the "least of these" was ignited, beckoned his return to champion the effectuation of positive changes with an unceasing tenacity; and

WHEREAS, using his own financial resources and enduring countless threats to his life, an undeterred Blackmon mounted legal challenges against the monotonous status quo employment practices of the local powers-that-be to ensure that public service sector jobs were reflective of the entire community, which ultimately resulted in the employment of African Americans in the city's police and fire departments and local banks; and

WHEREAS, after successfully articulating compelling arguments before the judiciary that usher in an era of integration within the public service sector, Blackmon, who demonstrated himself to be a discerning and methodical legal tactician, then pursued cases against Madison County and the City of Canton, tackling the glaring disparities in quality of life services and amenities the governing authorities perpetuated between the classes, from water infrastructure needs, to sidewalks, and even the manner by which county and municipal officials were elected, before turning his sights to the pervasive issues of inadequacy that plagued communities of color throughout the state, particularly in the area of elected representation; and

WHEREAS, upon his election in 1979, Attorney Edward Blackmon, Jr., became the Representative Blackmon upon his election to the Mississippi House of Representatives, but his election was short lived after only one year of service after his district was collapsed during the 1980 legislative redistricting process; and

WHEREAS, determined to serve as a voice for the people whom he witnessed endure the hardships of a corrupt system of steel-fisted governing by statewide and locally elected officials, Blackmon's indomitable mettle guided his decision to seek legislative office once again, and after mounting a successful election bid in 1983, he became the distinguished Gentleman from Madison upon being sworn into office on the first day of his first legislative session in January 1984; and

WHEREAS, Representative Blackmon wasted no time requesting legislation, amendments and reports that would help effectuate into law the ideologies and policy changes that his constituents had elected him to further, exuding the same assertive confidence he had grown, out of experience, to wear at all times in his personal and professional capacities, and never backing down from a challenge in debate or political or procedural posturing; and

WHEREAS, in a true display of intestinal fortitude, Representative Blackmon, who never lost sight of his commitment to be a true ambassador for the people, was appointed to the Apportionment and Elections in 1989, ahead of the 1990 decennial census and the same legislative reapportionment process that cost him his legislative seat in 1980, and began brokering deals with White Democrats in an effort to get more districts for prospective Black legislators; and

WHEREAS, after conversations with the first faction regarding his dogged commitment to increasing African-American representation in the Legislature rapidly deteriorated, Representative Blackmon aligned his political agenda with that of a newly emerged second faction of more amiable and receptive Democrats who supported his commitment to successfully achieve what they each desired, which resulted in the Mississippi Legislature's minority composition increasing from five to 45 African-American legislators in a single term; and

WHEREAS, thereafter, Representative Blackmon, whose record of successful victories when endeavoring to ensure equitable representation of Mississippi's African-American population at every level of governance, was determined to make certain that the state's judiciary was also reflective of the demographic, and upon the completion of his redistricting mission, the judiciary increased from five to 17 judges seated on the bench; and

WHEREAS, Representative Blackmon's love and deeply felt respect for the Legislature as a hallowed institution has led his fight to preserve and nurture its integrity for all legislators who equally hold a lion's share in the stake of advancing the direction of the state's economic, educational and political climate; and

WHEREAS, during his 41 year tenure as a legislator, Representative Blackmon served on the following committees: Judiciary A for 24 years, and of which he formerly served as Chairman for 8 years; Judiciary B for 20 years, and of which he formerly served as Chairman for 12 years; former Vice Chairman of Judiciary En Banc; Municipalities for 16 years, and of which he formerly served as Chairman for four years; Agriculture; Apportionment and Elections for 28 years; Congressional Redistricting for 20 years; Constitution County Affairs for 16 years; Education; Executive Contingent Fund; Game and Fish (now Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks); Juvenile Justice (now Youth and Family Affairs); Labor (now Workforce Development); Legislative Reapportionment (formerly Reapportionment and Redistricting) for 28 years; Penitentiary (now Corrections); Rules for 36 years; and Ways and Means for 32 years; and

WHEREAS, an honored and cherished member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, revered for his legal expertise and credible passion for public service, Representative Blackmon, whose mere presence before the well of the House commands the immediate respect and undivided attention of his legislative peers, is not one to limit his community involvement to the Legislature, Representative Blackmon has always been active in his district and dedicated to improving the quality of life for all citizens, as evidenced by his service as: former Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus; former President of the Magnolia Bar Association; emeritus trustee of Tougaloo College Board of Trustees; member of the NAACP; member of the Mississippi Bar Association; member of the American Bar Association; member of the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association; and member of the Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, equipped with an adept understanding of the letter and analysis of the law, Representative Blackmon's reputation as an astute barrister precedes him, and his portfolio of success before the bench encompasses a perfect track record of more than 50 defense trial victories during a 20-year period in which he never lost a case; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his extensive career appearing before the tribunal, familiarizing himself with a keen awareness of court etiquette that has guided his path as a litigious arbiter of the law, the rapport he has established with his clients, fellow attorneys and judges has enabled him to provide effective counsel to yield fruitful adjudication in the verdicts in favor of those he has been chosen to represent from the indigents to Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 corporate clients, which in turn have placed him amongst the nation's most notable litigators, as evidenced by numerous prestigious honors of which he has been a recipient, including: Lawyers Weekly USA 1999 Top Ten verdicts; National Law Journal 2002 11th winningest verdict; National Law Journal 2013 top 100 verdicts; named as one of the Nation's Top Ten Litigators by the National Law Journal 2002; named by Memphis Magazine as Top Attorney in the Mid-South for 2014; National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys 2014 Top 10 Attorney Award; George Washington University Black Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award; NAACP State Conference Medgar Evers Medallion Award; Magnolia Bar Association R. Jess Brown Award; and Tougaloo College Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, a rare leader who was able to lead effectively and serve with humility while demonstrating fair and even-handed stewardship of the office to which he was elected, Representative Blackmon remains equally committed to philanthropic service in the area of education, and has made substantial financial contributions to his alma mater, Tougaloo College, as well as to numerous other institutions and individual students seeking to advance themselves through higher education; and

WHEREAS, the members of the House of Representatives will cherish the bond and common goals for the betterment of this great state shared with the Honorable Representative Edward Blackmon, Jr., and that his impeccable service was unparalleled to the Mississippi Legislature and to the constituents of District 57; and

WHEREAS, Representative Blackmon has led and continues to lead a life of bravery in the face of challenge, courage in the face of adversity, sincerity in the face of apathy, honesty in the presence of deceit, poise under pressure and grace under fire, and through it all, this remarkable person has remained a phenomenal gentleman, grounded in his integrity to be a standard bearer for those who seek to improve the lives of others through positive example, hard work and the undeniable truths of the Word of God; and

WHEREAS, the service of Representative Blackmon would be without honor but for the continued support, encouragement and love of his family, who have endured the daunting struggles that accompany the life of an elected official, and much credit is also due to his loved ones who have sacrificed countless hours without him in order to allow him to fulfill his legislative obligations, including: his wife, Honorable Senator Barbara Martin Blackmon; children, Madison Edward Blackmon, Bradford Jerome, Janessa Blackmon and Lawrence Stephan Blackmon; and grandchildren, Enyla Chenise Blackmon and Summer Rae Blackmon; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor the indelible legacy of remarkable service of our colleague and friend, Representative Edward Blackmon, Jr., who represented his district, this body and the people of this state with honor and intrepid dignity:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the esteemed and laudable legislative career and public service of the most honorable, distinguished and senior Gentleman from Madison, Representative Edward Blackmon, Jr., and express fondest respect and best wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Representative Edward Blackmon, Jr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.