Current Status Bill Number:5224 Type of Legislation:Concurrent Resolution CR Introducing Body:House Introduced Date:19980602 Primary Sponsor:Cave All Sponsors:Cave and Scott Drafted Document Number:bbm\9944mm.98 Date Bill Passed both Bodies:19980603 Subject:Mrs. Pinkie Smith Johnson, Resolutions
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved ______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________ House 19980603 Received from Senate Senate 19980602 Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence House 19980602 Introduced, adopted, sent to SenateView additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
TO RECOGNIZE THE COURAGE OF MRS. PINKIE SMITH JOHNSON OF ALLENDALE COUNTY IN FURTHERING THE CAUSES OF EDUCATION, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND VOTER REGISTRATION IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
Whereas, Pinkie Smith Johnson was born September 9, 1910, in Martin, South Carolina, in Allendale County; and
Whereas, she and her husband, the late Reverend Richard Johnson Sr., were the parents of thirteen children, and also raised a number of nieces and nephews; and
Whereas, the Johnson's eight surviving children and the host of nieces and nephews were fed, loved, and disciplined in a home that stressed the virtues of education and hard work; and
Whereas, that home also housed three young white civil rights workers in the 1960's who worked throughout the small towns of the State to register people to vote; and
Whereas, Pinkie Smith Johnson and her late husband received threats for opening their home to the civil rights workers; and
Whereas, they were arrested, handcuffed, and jailed for participating in a voter registration march; and
Whereas, Mrs. Johnson later continued her efforts toward the enfranchisement of her people in Allendale County in an underground, but nonetheless effective, way: she befriended one of the Allendale courthouse personnel who would pass to her voter registration forms, then type up the registration cards for the family and friends Mrs. Johnson enrolled on the voter lists; and
Whereas, her courageous work and faith in God finally produced the result for which she had striven so long, a racially fair election process; and
Whereas, her role in that achievement was recognized with her appointment, with her husband, to serve as poll manager and watchman for the Martin, South Carolina, precinct; and
Whereas, when not working the polls, she continued to register people to vote or provided them transportation to and from the polls; and
Whereas, generations of family and friends of Pinkie Smith Johnson have witnessed and benefited by her dedication to the efforts in education, civil rights, and voter registration. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly recognize the courage of Mrs. Pinkie Smith Johnson of Allendale County in furthering the causes of education, civil rights, and voter registration in South Carolina.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mrs. Pinkie Smith Johnson.