HR 1332: Jackson, Edna Branch; commend

House Resolution 1332

By: Representatives Glaize of the 67th, Williams of the 168th, DeLoach of the 167th, Paris of the 142nd, and Willis of the 55th

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing and commending Edna Branch Jackson; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Edna Branch Jackson has long been recognized by the citizens of this state for the vital role that she has played in leadership and her deep personal commitment to the welfare of the citizens of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Edna Branch Jackson began her career as a public servant at an early age, joining the NAACP Youth Council in Savannah at the age of 9; and

WHEREAS, during the Civil Rights movement in Savannah, she was among the students who participated in the "Sit-ins" at downtown Savannah businesses, the "Wade-In's" at Tybee Beach, and the "Kneel-Ins" at various Savannah churches; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Beach High in 1962, she was employed with the NAACP National Youth Task Force, a member of National Youth Work Committee of the NAACP, and was instrumental in organizing NAACP Youth Councils and college chapters throughout the South; and

WHEREAS, at age 18, Edna Branch Jackson took an integrated group of students from Tampa, Florida, to the 1963 March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., made his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

WHEREAS, in 1968, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Sociology at Savannah State College, and later, in 1972, she earned her Masters of Education; and

WHEREAS, during her 30 year career with Savannah State University, she served her Alma Mater in the areas of counseling, admissions and recruiting, financial aid, and as Director of Alumni Affairs and Elderhostel Coordinator; and

WHEREAS, Edna Branch Jackson went on to serve her state and country in innumerable ways, including, but not limited to, as the Vice Chairman and member of the Chatham County Democratic Executive Committee, Chairperson of the Chatham County Hospital Authority, board member of Economic Opportunity Authority as well as a member of the United States Selective Board, the Military Academy Selection Committee, and the Regional Committee of the United States Civil Rights Commission; and

WHEREAS, in 2011, she made history as the first African-American woman to be elected Mayor of Savannah, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, her lifetime of dedicated service has been recognized with many prestigious awards and honors, including the International Longshoremen Association Local 1414 Humanitarian Award in 2008, the Yellow Dog Democrat Award in July 2002, and many others too numerous to list; and

WHEREAS, she is a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize and commend Edna Branch Jackson for her efficient, effective, unselfish, and dedicated public service to the State of Georgia and extend the most sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Edna Branch Jackson.