H*5224 Concurrent Resolution, By Cave and Scott
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 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.

   06/02/98  House  Introduced, adopted, sent to Senate HJ-193
   06/02/98  Senate Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence SJ-28

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

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.