Bill Text: MS SC571 | 2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Mississippi Senate Concurrent Resolution 571 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Commend life and legacy of Civil Rights leader and activist Dr. Cleveland Donald, Jr.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-3)

Status: (Passed) 2012-03-05 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC571 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2012-SC571-Enrolled.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2012 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Burton, Butler (38th), Fillingane, Frazier, Jackson (32nd), Simmons (13th), Stone, Hill

Senate Concurrent Resolution 571

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. CLEVELAND DONALD, JR., AN ICON OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT FROM NEWTON, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Dr. Cleveland Donald, Jr., an icon of the Civil Rights Movement from Newton, Mississippi, departed this earthly life on January 24, 2012, at the blessed age of 65; and

WHEREAS, a native of Newton, Mississippi, and the eldest of five children, Dr. Donald was born on April 10, 1946, to the marital union of Cleveland and Rosia Donald; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Donald's father was a World War II Veteran and was instrumental in forming the American Veterans Committee at a time when African-Americans were not welcome in the American Veterans of Foreign Wars; and

WHEREAS, following in his father's footsteps and active in promoting civil rights, Dr. Donald served as a Youth Field Coalition Leader for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and while in high school, he led his fellow students at Sam M. Brinkley High School in one of the largest protest marches of the period; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Donald, who always knew the importance and value of continuing his education, enrolled in Tougaloo College, after graduating high school as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist at the age of 17; and

WHEREAS, following the path of James Meredith, Dr. Donald later transferred to the University of Mississippi during the tumultuous Civil Rights Era at the university, and was the second African-American to graduate from Ole Miss and the last to enter under federal protection; and

WHEREAS, during his time at Ole Miss, Dr. Donald was under the protection of Federal Marshals while he attended classes and lived in a volatile environment, and he responded very simply and humbly to the openly hostile and sometimes violent circumstances he encountered as a student at the university; and

WHEREAS, after earning his bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi in 1966, Dr. Donald went on to graduate from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, with a Ph.D. in Latin American History and a specialty in Brazilian History; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Donald's graduate thesis compared the impact of slavery in Brazil with the impact of American slavery, and he was fluent in Portuguese and was frequently invited as a Lecturer at the University of Brazil at Brasilia; and

WHEREAS, returning to his Alma Mater in 1977, Dr. Donald helped to establish the first Black Studies Program at Ole Miss; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Donald taught a range of subjects and held Professorships across the Nation at the University of Texas, the State University of New York, the University of Massachusetts and the University of Connecticut; and

WHEREAS, serving institutions of higher learning beyond his Professorships, Dr. Donald served as Vice-Chancellor at the University of Massachusetts and as Director of the University of Connecticut at Waterbury; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Donald's journey in academia afforded him the opportunity to encounter and work with people from all walks of life, and he was revered by many for his giving and generous nature; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Donald had a great legacy at the schools where he held Professorships; his classes left students vying for coveted seats to learn from a Professor who challenged conventional thinking, making people want to better themselves; and

WHEREAS, a gifted Bible scholar, Dr. Donald valued above all else his faith in Christ and seized every opportunity to enlighten others by teaching the simplicity and depth of the gospel; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Donald's loving survivors include: mother, Rosia Donald; son, Cleveland Donald, III; daughters, Krista Donald and Toyetta Donald; four brothers, Judge John Donald, Major General James Donald, Reverend Larry Donald and Master Sergeant Howard Donald; sisters-in-law, Janit, Shirley and Thelma; and a host of other family members and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this great educator and positive role model, who has touched the lives of individuals in academia, his community and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of Dr. Cleveland Donald, Jr., Civil Rights leader and activist, and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Dr. Cleveland Donald, Jr., and made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.