HR305: HR305 Sagers, Richard B.; condolences

25 LC 112 2824 House Resolution 305 By: Representatives Olaleye of the 59th, Reese of the 140th, Sampson of the 153rd, Crawford of the 89th, Dawson of the 65th, and others A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of Richard B. Sagers; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, born on March 21, 1933, in Stockbridge, Georgia, Richard B. Sagers came of2 age during a time of segregation and systemic racial discrimination; and3 WHEREAS, he served as a guardian of this nation's freedom and liberty in the United States4 Army's 11th Airborne Division, 188th A.I.R., as part of the fir st all-Black regiment to5 integrate Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and6 WHEREAS, following his distinguished military service, he earned his commercial driver's7 license in 1952, yet he faced widespread racial discrimination as trucking companies8 systematically refused to hire Black over-the-road drivers, den ying them opportunities9 available to their white counterparts; and10 WHEREAS, in November 1969, he shattered racial barriers in the transportation industry by11 becoming the first Black over-the-road driver in the Southern C onference, enduring12 workplace hostility while opening doors for future generations of Black drivers; and13 H. R. 305 - 1 - 25 LC 112 2824 WHEREAS, determined to challenge systemic discrimination, he fi led the landmark14 class-action lawsuit Sagers v. Yellow Freight System in 1972 under the Civil Rights Act of15 1964, exposing discriminatory hiring practices and securing a l egal victory that helped16 dismantle racial inequalities in the trucking industry; and17 WHEREAS, his courageous legal battle garnered national attention and was championed by18 civil rights activists, labor unions, and renowned attorneys such as Donald Hollowell, Jack19 Greenberg, Elizabeth Rindskopf, and William L. Robinson, settin g a legal precedent for20 future employment discrimination cases; and21 WHEREAS, Richard B. Sagers passed away on February 24, 1993, at the age of 59, leaving22 behind a legacy of courage and determination that lives on thro ugh his wife, Betty; his23 daughter, Veronica; and his grandchildren; and24 WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation25 for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example he made of his life, he26 made this world a better place in which to live.27 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that28 the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Richard B. Sagers upon29 the 32nd anniversary of his passing for his historic contributi ons to civil rights, racial30 equality, and his country.31 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized32 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the33 family of Richard B. Sagers.34 H. R. 305 - 2 -