Bill Text: MS SC599 | 2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognize legacy of MS Senator Arthur Tate, first African-American to serve in State Senate since Reconstruction.
Sponsorship: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-2)
Status: (Passed) 2012-03-22 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC599 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2012-SC599-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (11th), Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Frazier, Harden, Horhn, Jackson (32nd), Jones, Jordan, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Turner, Blount, Burton, Stone, Tindell
Senate Concurrent Resolution 599
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE LEGACY OF MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATOR ARTHUR JAMES TATE FROM CANTON, MISSISSIPPI, THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO SERVE IN THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE SINCE RECONSTRUCTION.
WHEREAS, the month of February is Black History Month, and in the State of Mississippi it is most appropriate that we reflect on the legacy of Mississippi Senator Arthur James (Arthur) Tate, the first African-American to serve in the Mississippi Senate since Reconstruction; and
WHEREAS, with his moderate political orientation and oratorical skills, Arthur Tate filled a vacant seat in the Mississippi Senate in 1979; and
WHEREAS, Arthur Tate represented Senate District 15A which consisted of Holmes, Madison and Yazoo Counties; and
WHEREAS, Senator Tate was born on August 16, 1939, in Carthage, Mississippi. He attended Leake County Agricultural High School and Tougaloo College; and
WHEREAS, Senator Tate was a respected merchant, teacher and insurance salesman in his community and accepted the opportunity to serve his community when a vacancy occurred in Senate District 15A due to redistricting; and
WHEREAS, Arthur was a Democrat and was active in the civic affairs of his community, as a member of the Canton Business League, Canton Chamber of Commerce, the local Council on Aging and the NAACP; and
WHEREAS, Arthur was a Baptist, a Mason and a member of the Black Elks. He was married to the former Consuella Smith; and
WHEREAS, Senator Tate was elected in a Special Election and served a one-year term in 1979. He served in the Legislature when the New Capitol was being renovated and temporarily moved into the Central High School Building, where the Senate convened in the former Central High Library and the House convened in the former Central High Auditorium; and
WHEREAS, the arrival of Senator Arthur Tate at the State Capitol in 1979 ranks among the great moments in American political history. The institution of the Mississippi Legislature and the careers of the African-American members who have served in both chambers have undergone extensive changes during this span of nearly 35 years. Their experience mirrors that of other groups that were new to the political system and the rising influence of African-American legislators today has its foundation in this pioneer statesman:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the legacy of Mississippi State Senator Arthur James Tate, the first African-American to serve in the Mississippi Senate since Reconstruction, and we commend his story to all students of Mississippi history.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Arthur Tate, forwarded to the State Superintendent of Education for proper distribution during Black History Month, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
