HR1711: HR1711 Bennette, Reverend Fred C., Jr.; honoring the life and memory; condolences

26 LC 129 1390 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.1 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 with the passing of Civil Rights leader Reverend Fred C. Bennette, Jr.; and3 WHEREAS, Reverend Bennette, was born on December 2, 1928, in At lanta, Georgia, a4 beloved son of Annie Mae McDowell Bennette and Columbus Bennette, Sr.; and5 WHEREAS, he served as a guardian of this nation's freedom and l iberty with the United6 States Army, valiantly and courageously protecting his fellow Americans; and 7 WHEREAS, following his military service, Reverend Bennette att ended Morris Brown8 College and the Turner Theological Seminary at Morris Brown College; and 9 WHEREAS, in 1960, after meeting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and becoming close friends10 with his brother, Reverend Bennette became a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement; and 11 H. R. 1711 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1390 W H E R E A S , t h a t y e a r , h e w a s a k e y o r g a n i z e r f o r t h e S o u t h e r n C h ristian Leadership12 Conference as well as a staff coordinator for the successful sit-in campaign to desegregate13 Rich's Department Store; and 14 WHEREAS, from 1961 to 1964, Reverend Bennette served as the director of the All Citizens15 Committee for Voter Registration and deputy director of the Georgia Voters League, paving16 the way for a dramatic increase in Black registered voters; and 17 WHEREAS, during a 1961 Freedom Riders rally in Montgomery, Alabama, an unidentified18 assailant threw a gas bomb at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which Reverend Bennette, without19 hesitation, picked up and threw off to the side; and 20 WHEREAS, in 1964, Dr. King appointed Reverend Bennette as the f irst director of the21 Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Operation Breadbasket, that mobilized selective22 buying campaigns to pressure businesses to hire thousands of minorities; and 23 WHEREAS, Reverend Bennette was instrumental in the campaigns and advisory councils24 of several prominent politicians in the State of Georgia, including President Jimmy Carter25 and Atlanta Mayor and Congressman Andrew Young; and 26 WHEREAS, Reverend Bennette remained an active member of the Board of Advisors of the27 Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Nonviolent Social Change; served as The King Center's28 Director of Security; and was a dedicated member of Ebenezer Baptist Church; and29 WHEREAS, Reverend Bennette gave inspiration to many through his high ideals, morals,30 and deep concern for his fellow citizens, and the devotion, patience, and understanding he31 demonstrated to his family and friends were admired by others; and32 H. R. 1711 - 2 - 26 LC 129 1390 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man who demonstrated his commitment to33 witnessing Christ through word and deed, Reverend Bennette will long be remembered for34 his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who had the great35 fortune of knowing him.36 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that37 the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory o f Reverend Fred C.38 Bennette, Jr., and express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.39 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized40 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the41 family of Reverend Fred C. Bennette, Jr.42 H. R. 1711 - 3 -