Bill Text: NJ AR183 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorates 50th anniversary of death of civil rights activist Medgar Evers.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-06-13 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State Government Committee [AR183 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-AR183-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman GORDON M. JOHNSON
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblyman RALPH R. CAPUTO
District 28 (Essex)
Assemblywoman CLEOPATRA G. TUCKER
District 28 (Essex)
SYNOPSIS
Commemorates 50th anniversary of death of civil rights activist Medgar Evers.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of the death of civil rights activist Medgar Evers.
Whereas, June 12, 2013 marks the passing of 50 years since the murder of Medgar Evers, a civil rights activist and American hero; and
Whereas, A native of Decatur, Mississippi, Medgar Evers fought in the United States Army during World War II and earned a degree in business administration at Alcorn State University, where he competed on the football, track, and debate teams, performed in the school choir, and was involved in student government; and
Whereas, Born and raised in the Jim Crow South, Evers witnessed segregation of schools, discriminatory practices by businesses, blacks being forced away or intimidated from voting in elections, other instances of racism, and threats and acts of violence against anyone with the courage to stand up against such injustice; and
Whereas, After marrying Myrlie Beasley, Evers became involved in the Regional Council of Negro Leadership, helped to organize boycotts of service stations that denied blacks the use of restrooms, became the first field officer in the state of Mississippi for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and served as a vocal supporter of other civil rights activists; and
Whereas, In the weeks prior to his murder, Medgar Evers faced several threats and attempts on his life, including one instance where he was nearly run over by a car while leaving an NAACP office and another where a Molotov cocktail was thrown at his home; and
Whereas, Despite these threats and acts of violence, Evers continued to work in support of civil rights but was murdered at the age of 37 by a member of the White Citizens' Council and Ku Klux Klan when a gunshot struck him in the back after arriving home from an NAACP meeting on June 12, 1963; and
Whereas, The courage and dedication that Medgar Evers displayed in his relentless fight for civil rights and equal justice are attributes that we should all seek to emulate and his sacrifice is one that we must all never forget; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper for the General Assembly of this State to honor the memory of Medgar Evers and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his death; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House honors the memory of Medgar Evers and commemorates the 50th anniversary of his death.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to Myrlie Evers-Williams, the New Jersey State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Medgar Evers Home Museum.
STATEMENT
This resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the death of Medgar Evers. On June 12, 1963, Medgar Evers, a civil rights activist from Mississippi, was shot to death by a member of the White Citizens' Council and Ku Klux Klan. Prior to his death, Evers was involved in the Regional Council of Negro Leadership, helped to organize boycotts of service stations that denied blacks the use of restrooms, became the first field officer in the state of Mississippi for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and served as a vocal supporter of other civil rights activists.
In the weeks prior to his murder, Medgar Evers faced several threats and attempts on his life, including one instance where he was nearly run over by a car while leaving an NAACP office and another where a Molotov cocktail was thrown at his home; yet, he continued to fight for civil rights despite these threats and acts of violence. He was survived by his wife, now Myrlie Evers-Williams, a fellow civil rights activist who later served as chairwoman of the NAACP.
