Bill Text: MS SC629 | 2014 | Regular Session | Enrolled


Bill Title: Recognize Claiborne County Civil Rights Pioneer Mr. Nathaniel "Nate" Jones.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-2)

Status: (Passed) 2014-03-31 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC629 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2014-SC629-Enrolled.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2014 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Frazier, Horhn, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, Jordan, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Turner, Chassaniol, Fillingane

Senate Concurrent Resolution 629

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING CLAIBORNE COUNTY NATIVE AND RESIDENT MR. NATHANIEL "NATE" JONES, A CIVIL RIGHTS PIONEER.

     WHEREAS, Mr. Nathaniel "Nate" Jones is a kind, caring man who never sought fame, personal gain, or popularity, but made a public stand for his beliefs and fearlessly stood up to forces of opposition that had the power to destroy his livelihood and his life; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Jones had a hunger for knowledge; as a young man he looked forward to snowy, rainy days when farm work was impossible because this meant he was free to attend school.  The days that he had to work on the family farm, his sister brought his assignments home, and he completed his lessons by lamplight after finishing the day's farm chores; and

     WHEREAS, through persistence and perseverance in study, Mr. Jones graduated from the 8th Grade, a significant accomplishment for a black man in depression-era Mississippi; he also used the GI Bill to enroll in an agricultural course at Alcorn College so that he could become a better farmer; and

     WHEREAS, Mr. Nate Jones joined the United States Navy and served his country during World War II; when black seamen were excluded from a cafeteria because of their race, he joined a successful collective protest, which was his first opportunity to vote; and

     WHEREAS, during the Civil Rights Era, Mr. Nate Jones' life story consisted of the following:

          ·  One of the founding members of the Claiborne County NAACP;

          ·  A member of the two literacy and voter registration classes in the district;

          ·  Among six dues-paying local NAACP members (including his wife) in 1963, when most African-Americans were afraid to join the local chapter because of intimidation and retaliation; and

          ·  A member of the Claiborne County NAACP Executive Board; and

     WHEREAS, in post-Civil Rights Era years, Mr. Nate Jones: 

          ·  Remained active in voter registration, even though he was intimidated and his name was published in the local newspaper;

          ·  Was arrested when he participated in the massive protest march at Alcorn College;

          ·  Was named in an injunction to stop protests at Alcorn College;

          ·  Recruited black candidates;

          ·  Helped found and sustain "Our Mart," a black-owned Claiborne County grocery store; and

          ·  Currently serves as President of the Claiborne County Baptist Aid:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and honor Claiborne County native and resident Mr. Nathaniel "Nate" Jones, a Civil Rights Pioneer.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we recognize and honor Mr. Nate Jones for his bravery, heroism, and acts of selflessness during the civil rights era in Claiborne County, Mississippi.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we recognize the life and legacy of Mr. Nate Jones, who played a key role in the movement that challenged white supremacy, dismantled Jim Crow, and achieved voting rights for African-Americans.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Mr. Nate Jones be remembered as an altruistic visionary who devotes his life to helping his fellowman and to improving his community.  He is a role model for our youth because of his exemplary life of hard work, dedication, and commitment.  He remains unwavering in his work for justice, for full citizenship, and for a humane world for all mankind.  Young people are our future, but Mr. Nate Jones is a valuable part of our history, not only the history of Claiborne County, Mississippi, but also he is a valuable part of the history of the Great State of Mississippi.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mr. Nathaniel "Nate" Jones and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.

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