SR585: SR585 Washington, Booker T.; honoring

26 LC 129 0574 Senate Resolution 585 By: Senators James of the 28th, Kemp of the 38th, Jackson of the 41st and Sims of the 12th A RESOLUTION Honoring Booker T. Washington; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, born a slave in 1856, Booker T. Washington, was a visionary educator, leader,2 and advocate for African American advancement, who made enduring contributions to the3 State of Georgia and the nation through his tireless work in ed ucation, civil rights, and4 economic empowerment; and5 WHEREAS, in 1895, Booker T. Washington served as a presenter at the historic Atlanta6 Exposition to the Cotton States, where he managed the Negro Bui lding, oversaw its7 construction and workmanship, and delivered a landmark address that emphasized dignity,8 self-reliance, and interracial cooperation; and9 WHEREAS, Booker T. Washington traveled with Georgia leaders to Washington, D.C., to10 advocate for legislative support for the Atlanta Exposition, an d successfully persuaded11 President Grover Cleveland to spend one hour touring the Negro Building, thereby elevating12 national awareness of African American craftsmanship and achievement; and13 S. R. 585 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0574 WHEREAS, further supporting the State of Georgia, he was a feat ured presenter at the14 Georgia Christian Worker Conference, where he inspired faith-based leaders and community15 builders with his message of moral leadership, education, and service; and16 WHEREAS, he personally contributed $1,000 toward the desegregat ion of schools in17 Augusta, Georgia, a gift that led to the naming of the first Af rican American school in the18 city as Booker T. Washington High School, a lasting tribute to his commitment to education;19 and20 WHEREAS, he served as a trusted advisor to President William Mc Kinley, President21 Theodore Roosevelt, and President William Howard Taft, and accepted an invitation to dine22 at the White House—an unprecedented honor that symbolized progress in race relations; and23 WHEREAS, he founded the National Business League in 1900, an or ganization that24 continues to empower Black entrepreneurs, and recently celebrated its 125th anniversary in25 Atlanta, affirming his legacy of economic uplift; and26 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this exemplar y educator, leader, and27 advocate for African American advancement be appropriately recognized. 28 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body29 honor and uplift the legacy of Booker T. Washington.30 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed31 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the public and the32 press.33 S. R. 585 - 2 -