Bill Text: MS HR90 | 2010 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Mr. Douglas T. "Bliss" Baker; commend life, legacy and service on his passing.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2010-04-01 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR90 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2010-HR90-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Watson
House Resolution 90
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND SERVICE OF MR. DOUGLASS T. "BLISS" BAKER, ESQ., AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, Douglass T. "Bliss" Baker, Esq., born on January 28, 1936, to Robert and Constance Ducelle Baker in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the younger of two sons born to the couple, departed this earthly life at the age of 74, to enter into eternal rest with his Heavenly Father, causing great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, a very capable and learned practicing attorney by profession, Mr. Baker attained his undergraduate matriculation at Tougaloo College in the areas of European history and sociology with studies emphasizing race and ethnicity, which would prove to be a vital component to the future of his educational and career successes; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Baker was the prototype as a catalyst for change, posturing himself to become a trailblazer for many to pattern themselves by when he integrated the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) School of Law the summer of 1965; and
WHEREAS, channeling the power of the academic background afforded him at Tougaloo College and bringing the tools of knowledge, understanding of race and race-relations background to the challenges his monumental and historic integration presented, Mr. Baker invoked his faith and hope in his writings and became the first African American to graduate from Ole Miss School of Law after having completed three years in the law school program; and
WHEREAS, in January 1966, after hearing the disturbing news of the assassination of Vernon Dahmer, Mr. Baker's call to social and civil rights activism was birthed, resulting in a letter to the editor of the local hometown newspaper expressing a dismay for the senseless violence; and
WHEREAS, an individual of fortified resilience if there ever was such a being, Mr. Baker suffered significant losses personally and professionally, harnessing a sentiment that would cause most others to become embittered by the injustice and oppression of a racially strife-ridden society, and using that energy to focus his concentration on efforts to promote racial reconciliation; and
WHEREAS, using racial reconciliation as a platform to educate individuals of the importance of social harmony, Mr. Baker was featured in appearances on the Christian Broadcasting Network, the Canadian Broadcasting Network and was the subject of a documentary shown on the Canadian Broadcasting Network; and
WHEREAS, engaged in the general practice of law and serving as a contractor with Southeast Mississippi Legal Services prior to his passing, he was an accomplished pianist and painter and was an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, heralded as a victor for his innate ability to overcome great adversity, Mr. Baker was a survivor and was known for his kind, gentle and caring ways, as evidenced by his assumption of the responsibility to serve as his mother's caretaker for many years; and
WHEREAS, though he has now traversed the river of life to stand on golden heavenly shores to await the calling of the roll from the Lamb's Book of Life, the legacy of his endearing memory will continue to last in the lives of his survivors, including his two sons, Charles H. Baker and Dreck K. Baker; brother, Robert Constantine "Bobby" Baker; and five grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of such a giving, intelligent and gentle soul as Mr. Baker, whose passing is the holy will of God manifested in the time and sequence predestined by Him before his birth:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life, legacy and service of Mr. Douglass T. "Bliss" Baker, Esq., and express 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 Mr. Baker and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
