Bill Text: MS HR19 | 2018 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Peggy Jean Connor; commend life and legacy of service upon her passing.
Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2018-02-07 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR19 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2018-HR19-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives McGee, Watson
House Resolution 19
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND MOURNING THE LOSS OF CIVIL RIGHTS ICON PEGGY JEAN CONNOR, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Peggy Jean Connor, to eternal rest, as she made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and
WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi lost a wonderful friend and community pillar on Saturday, January 13, 2018, with the passing of Peggy Jean Connor, a devout civil rights advocate, voting rights activist and community leader, who possessed an affinity for inspiring others to maximize their fullest potential through her selfless and devout service to her community and the state; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Connor was born October 29, 1932, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to John Henry Gould and Esther Lee Jemison Gould, being the eldest of four children, and she attended Eureka High School and was one of the founding members of Eureka Rowan (EURO) High School Reunion group, which later grew to include Hattiesburg High School graduates; and
WHEREAS, coming from a family with deeply entrenched traditions of community participation, Mrs. Connor attended mass voter registration meetings with her father, and one night, after one of these meetings, Mrs. Connor was asked to become a citizenship teacher in her community, which she accepted; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Connor traveled to Georgia for a training workshop after accepting the position of citizenship teacher, and upon returning home to Mississippi, she not only taught her students the process of registering to vote, but also taught them how to understand, interpret and apply the United States Constitution; and
WHEREAS, as a passionate advocate for doing what is right with a kind and sincere heart, Mrs. Connor was a devoted advocate for the right to vote, being involved in many demonstrations, and after numerous fruitless attempts to engage in the political process of the state with the Mississippi Democratic Party, she and her comrades formed the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP), a parallel political party that was open to all people, regardless of race, wherein she eventually served as executive secretary; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Connor began registering people in her community to vote and organizing meetings on the precinct, county, district and state levels, being named chairperson of her precinct in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and also being one of the MFDP's delegates to the Democratic National Convention in 1964; and
WHEREAS, in 1966, Mrs. Connor and other individuals filed suit against the Governor of Mississippi to protest the legality of multi-member districts, and after 14 years, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Connor v. Johnson that the apportionment provisions in the Mississippi Constitution and statutes violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution, and because of Mrs. Connor's bravery, the path was opened for African Americans to become legislators in the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, being a civil rights pioneer, Mrs. Connor became a stalwart champion for justice who also prevailed in her lawsuit against the Owl Drugstore in downtown Hattiesburg for refusing to serve her because of the color of her skin, and because of her bravery and courage to always stand up for what is right, Mrs. Connor was the recipient of many awards, including the Carter G. Woodson Black History Award for Courage in Civil Rights and the Lifetime of Service Achievement Award from D.R.E.A.M. of Hattiesburg; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Connor was a lifelong member of Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, and she served in many positions in her church, such as a steward, a member of the Finance Committee, a stewardess, a member of the Women's Missionary Society, a member of the Chancery and Sanctuary Choir and as a member of the Annie Mae James Scholarship Fund and Trustee; and at the time of her passing, Mrs. Connor was serving as a steward, a member of the Finance Committee and as Zion Chapel's elected delegate in the South Mississippi Annual Conference in the Eighth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; and
WHEREAS, known by all for her courage and caring spirit, Mrs. Connor was respected and loved by all who knew her, especially her family with whom she loved to spend quality time with; and
WHEREAS, though she has traversed the river of life to now stand upon golden heavenly shores, the legacy of her selfless service and allegiance to God, family and the United States, will forever be etched in the hearts and memories of her loving survivors: children, Dennie Frank Connor, Jr., and Felecia Denise Connor Young (Roy); grandchildren, Roderick (Rico) Balam, Roy A.Z. (R.J.) Young and Denise LaJean Jemison Young Jero (Samuel); sister, Mrs. Eleanor Joyce Gould Tooson (Alonzo); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren and friends; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize outstanding individual contributions of exceptional Mississippians, especially those such as Peggy Jean Connor, whose steadfast commitment to her family and tremendous dedication to her outstanding work as a civil rights activist has brought great honor to the State of Mississippi and to the nation as a whole:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commemorate the life and many accomplishments of Peggy Jean Connor, and express deepest sympathy to her family and friends upon her passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Peggy Jean Connor and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
