Bill Text: MS HR58 | 2019 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Dr. James A. Anderson; commend life and legacy upon his passing.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-02-21 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR58 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2019-HR58-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Clarke
House Resolution 58
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF DR. JAMES A. ANDERSON AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.
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, on February 18, 2019, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Dr. James A. Anderson, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, friends and community; and
WHEREAS, the City of Jackson and State of Mississippi lost a wonderful friend and community leader with the passing of Dr. Anderson, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan; and
WHEREAS, as champion for the provision of superior health care to those most in need during his stellar career as a medical doctor for over 50 years, Dr. Anderson was an outstanding health care champion, whose selfless contributions to the citizens of Mississippi are an example to others of how to live your convictions; and
WHEREAS, born in Jackson, Mississippi, on March 7, 1936, Dr. Anderson was a superior student at Lanier High School, and while he was in the 10th grade, he was advised by his teacher and mentor, Ms. Ruth Shirley, to take an examination administered by the Ford Foundation, and upon passing, received early admission to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he ultimately graduated in 1956; and
WHEREAS, as a 1960 medical degree graduate of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Anderson showed exceptional abilities during his training, which earned him externships at E.H. Crumps Hospital in Memphis, the Memorial Center for Cancer and Allied Diseases in New York and an internship at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis; and
WHEREAS, after completing his clinical training, Dr. Anderson returned to Mississippi and established his practice in McComb and became actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee after tending to the wounds of civil rights icon Bob Moses, which subsequently blossomed into a lifelong friendship and call to civic and social activism, which also aligned him in a position to also serve as a health care provider to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., upon the occasion of one of his visits to Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Anderson's civil rights activities were abbreviated when he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served as Chief Medical Examiner for the United States Army Recruiting Station in Syracuse, New York, and as Company Commander of the 624th Medical Dispensary in Jackson; and
WHEREAS, after valiantly serving his country, Dr. Anderson returned to his native home of Jackson and established his private practice, and resumed his exceptional involvement in the Civil Rights Movement; and
WHEREAS, as one of the few physicians who treated patients without regard to color or financial class, Dr. Anderson fought to ensure that African-American physicians had parity with their counterparts in the medical field, and to this end he helped build the viability and power of the Mississippi Medical and Surgical Association (MMSA) through membership requirement and policy reorganization, and was a leader in MMSA's successful suit against the traditional medical association's exclusive right not to name African-American physicians to state boards and commissions; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Anderson, along with Dr. A.B. Britton Jr. and Dr. Robert Smith, led the charge in breaking down the barriers of the Central Medical Society, earning full privileges in the Mississippi State Medical Association, and they were also the first African-American physicians to obtain full hospital privileges at St. Dominic's Memorial Hospital in Jackson; and
WHEREAS, as one of the founders of the Medical Committee for Human Rights, Dr. Anderson was instrumental in the development of federally funded community health centers and brought the first statewide Head Start Program to Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, a man of incredible character and superb stature, Dr. Anderson was one of the driving forces and co-founding physicians of the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center, which was first housed in a church and funeral home, and now occupies a state of the art clinical facility named after Dr. Anderson, and is the crown jewel of these great physicians' efforts; and
WHEREAS, as a trailblazer of a physician and an extraordinarily courageous man, Dr. Anderson was Director of Student Health Services at Jackson State University for more than 30 years and often worked under severe budget restraints, but always found a way to provide quality health care; and
WHEREAS, ever the pragmatic voice of reason and logic, Dr. Anderson's lot in life to be a champion of worthwhile cause served as the impetus that birthed the tide of change in the State of Mississippi's political and electoral history, when he counseled, encouraged and endorsed a nervously timid Democratic hopeful in the likes of Alyce Griffin Clarke, who would go on to be elected, in 1984, to the Mississippi House of Representatives as the people's ambassador for House District 69, and in doing so, entered the annals of Mississippi history as the first
African-American female elected to the Legislature; and
WHEREAS, Dr. James Anderson was more than a pioneering medical doctor, he was a community activist who pushed the envelope upward for his community on every front possible, and he is held in the highest regard at the level of patron saint of each person he encountered, especially former patients, mentees and community residents; and
WHEREAS, throughout his life, Dr. Anderson inspired everyone he encountered, and because it is written in 2 Corinthians 5:8, that to be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord," his family and friends can find peace and comfort during this difficult time; and
WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Dr. Anderson's indelible imprint upon our lives will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors, including his wife, Selena Helm Anderson; children, Karen Anderson, Ruby Anderson Fitzpatrick and James Anderson Jr.; grandchildren, Garrett Paul, Samantha, Matthew, Caleb and Kristen; and a host of other relatives and dear friends; and
WHEREAS, we encourage Dr. Anderson's family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member and be renewed in their faith that he fulfilled the purpose of his appointed time in adherence to the commandment of II Timothy 4:7, by having "fought a good fight, finishing his course and keeping the faith until the hour of his departure was at hand"; and
WHEREAS, remembered for his intelligence, humor and riveting stories of the developing days of Jackson-Hinds, Dr. Anderson was truly a gift to the Magnolia State and certainly exemplified the qualities of devotion to his family and his community, inspiring all of those around him to strive for excellence each day; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor and commend the lives of outstanding Mississippians, especially those such as Dr. James A. Anderson, whose unparalleled service, dauntless fortitude and remarkable dedication to his family and his community brings honor to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. James A. Anderson, and express sincere and deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Dr. James A. Anderson and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
