Georgia-2011-HR124-Introduced

By: Representatives Taylor of the 55th, Brooks of the 63rd, Beasley-Teague of the 65th, and Long of the 61st

Honoring the life and memory of Mrs. Ella Mae Wade Brayboy; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens with the passing of Mrs. Ella Mae Wade Brayboy on November 10, 2010; and

WHEREAS, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, Mrs. Brayboy graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, where she showed an early passion for activism and advocacy; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Brayboy was one of Georgia's first black deputy voter registrars, registering a record 10,000 black voters during the 1960's and her dedicated work for others was recognized by the YWCA with a 1988 Women of Achievement Award; and

WHEREAS, known as the "Grandmother of voter registration," Mrs. Brayboy worked with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s voter registration drive; and

WHEREAS, she worked as a congressional aide to former United States Representative Andrew Young, served on one of the first commissions to oversee the annual Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday, and served as director of community affairs for the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for 15 years; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Brayboy's numerous accomplishments on behalf of Georgians include obtaining half-priced taxi fares for seniors, helping to establish the geriatric clinic at Grady Hospital, assisting in the replacement of the state's centralized balloting system with voting precincts, working with MARTA to determine which neighborhoods needed transit service, and helping the residents of Atlanta's Pittsburgh community get indoor plumbing, electricity, and natural gas service; and

WHEREAS, she was blessed with three remarkable daughters, Joyce, Wilma, and Eleanor; seven grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren; and

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

WHEREAS, she was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness and, by the example she made of her life, she made this world a better place in which to live; and

WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous woman, Mrs. Brayboy will long be remembered for her love of family and friendship, and this loyal mother, grandmother, advocate, and friend will be missed by all who had the great fortune of knowing her.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Mrs. Ella Mae Wade Brayboy and express their deepest and most sincere regret at her passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of Mrs. Ella Mae Wade Brayboy.