HR1332: HR1332 Jackson, Edna Branch; commend

26 LC 129 1038 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.1 WHEREAS, Edna Branch Jackson has long been recognized by the citizens of this state for2 the vital role that she has played in leadership and her deep p ersonal commitment to the3 welfare of the citizens of Georgia; and4 WHEREAS, Edna Branch Jackson began her career as a public serva nt at an early age,5 joining the NAACP Youth Council in Savannah at the age of 9; and6 WHEREAS, during the Civil Rights movement in Savannah, she was among the students7 who participated in the "Sit-ins" at downtown Savannah businesses, the "Wade-In's" at Tybee8 Beach, and the "Kneel-Ins" at various Savannah churches; and9 WHEREAS, after graduating from Beach High in 1962, she was employed with the NAACP10 National Youth Task Force, a member of National Youth Work Committee of the NAACP,11 and was instrumental in organizing NAACP Youth Councils and college chapters throughout12 the South; and13 H. R. 1332 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1038 WHEREAS, at age 18, Edna Branch Jackson took an integrated grou p of students from14 Tampa, Florida, to the 1963 March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., made15 his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. 16 WHEREAS, in 1968, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Sociology at Savannah State17 College, and later, in 1972, she earned her Masters of Education; and18 WHEREAS, during her 30 year career with Savannah State University, she served her Alma19 Mater in the areas of counseling, admissions and recruiting, financial aid, and as Director of20 Alumni Affairs and Elderhostel Coordinator; and21 WHEREAS, Edna Branch Jackson went on to serve her state and cou ntry in innumerable22 ways, including, but not limited to, as the Vice Chairman and m ember of the Chatham23 County Democratic Executive Committee, Chairperson of the Chath am County Hospital24 Authority, board member of Economic Opportunity Authority as we ll as a member of the25 United States Selective Board, the Military Academy Selection Committee, and the Regional26 Committee of the United States Civil Rights Commission; and27 WHEREAS, in 2011, she made history as the first African-American woman to be elected28 Mayor of Savannah, Georgia; and29 WHEREAS, her lifetime of dedicated service has been recognized with many prestigious30 awards and honors, including the International Longshoremen Ass ociation Local 141431 Humanitarian Award in 2008, the Yellow Dog Democrat Award in Ju ly 2002, and many32 others too numerous to list; and33 H. R. 1332 - 2 - 26 LC 129 1038 WHEREAS, she is a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for34 integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness; and35 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this36 remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized.37 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that38 the members of this body recognize and commend Edna Branch Jack son for her efficient,39 effective, unselfish, and dedicated public service to the State of Georgia and extend the most40 sincere best wishes for continued health and happiness.41 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized42 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Edna43 Branch Jackson.44 H. R. 1332 - 3 -