HR 1711: Bennette, Reverend Fred C., Jr.; honoring the life and memory; condolences

House Resolution 1711

By: Representatives McClain of the 109th, Williams of the 168th, Mitchell of the 88th, Glaize of the 67th, and Berry of the 56th

A RESOLUTION

Honoring the life and memory of Reverend Fred C. Bennette, Jr.; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens with the passing of Civil Rights leader Reverend Fred C. Bennette, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Bennette, was born on December 2, 1928, in Atlanta, Georgia, a beloved son of Annie Mae McDowell Bennette and Columbus Bennette, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, he served as a guardian of this nation's freedom and liberty with the United States Army, valiantly and courageously protecting his fellow Americans; and

WHEREAS, following his military service, Reverend Bennette attended Morris Brown College and the Turner Theological Seminary at Morris Brown College; and

WHEREAS, in 1960, after meeting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and becoming close friends with his brother, Reverend Bennette became a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement; and

WHEREAS, that year, he was a key organizer for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as well as a staff coordinator for the successful sit-in campaign to desegregate Rich's Department Store; and

WHEREAS, from 1961 to 1964, Reverend Bennette served as the director of the All Citizens Committee for Voter Registration and deputy director of the Georgia Voters League, paving the way for a dramatic increase in Black registered voters; and

WHEREAS, during a 1961 Freedom Riders rally in Montgomery, Alabama, an unidentified assailant threw a gas bomb at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which Reverend Bennette, without hesitation, picked up and threw off to the side; and

WHEREAS, in 1964, Dr. King appointed Reverend Bennette as the first director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Operation Breadbasket, that mobilized selective buying campaigns to pressure businesses to hire thousands of minorities; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Bennette was instrumental in the campaigns and advisory councils of several prominent politicians in the State of Georgia, including President Jimmy Carter and Atlanta Mayor and Congressman Andrew Young; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Bennette remained an active member of the Board of Advisors of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Nonviolent Social Change; served as The King Center's Director of Security; and was a dedicated member of Ebenezer Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Bennette gave inspiration to many through his high ideals, morals, and deep concern for his fellow citizens, and the devotion, patience, and understanding he demonstrated to his family and friends were admired by others; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man who demonstrated his commitment to witnessing Christ through word and deed, Reverend Bennette will long be remembered for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who had the great fortune of knowing him.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Reverend Fred C. Bennette, Jr., and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing. 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 the family of Reverend Fred C. Bennette, Jr.