S*0749 Concurrent Resolution, By Jackson
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE SEPTIMA CLARK FOR A LIFETIME DEVOTED TO
 THE STRUGGLE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN SOCIETY.

   06/05/03  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-53
   06/05/03  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-155

TO RECOGNIZE SEPTIMA CLARK FOR A LIFETIME DEVOTED TO THE STRUGGLE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN SOCIETY.

Whereas, Septima Clark was a trailblazer in the civil rights effort in South Carolina; and

Whereas, Septima Clark was born in Charleston in 1898; and

Whereas, Septima Clark began her teaching career on John's Island in 1916; and

Whereas, Septima Clark worked as a teacher for almost forty years, including extensive time teaching in public schools in both Columbia and Charleston; and

Whereas, Septima Clark joined the NAACP and was a leader in its efforts to equalize salaries for black teachers and white teachers; and

Whereas, Septima Clark took a courageous stand in the effort for civil rights by sacrificing her career as a teacher in the public schools rather than forego her civil rights involvement; and

Whereas, Septima Clark continued her civil rights efforts with Dr. Martin Luther King at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; and

Whereas, Septima Clark helped develop and implement the concept of "citizenship schools" which was very instrumental in developing leaders for the civil rights movement; and

Whereas, Septima Clark was asked to accompany Dr. Martin Luther King to Sweden when he received his Nobel Peace Prize; and

Whereas, Septima Clark was elected to the Charleston County School Board in 1975, almost twenty years after she initially lost her job as a teacher because of her civil rights involvement; and

Whereas, Septima Clark received a number of awards in recognition of her efforts, including South Carolina's highest honor, the Order of the Palmetto, the Race Relations award from the National Education Association, and a Living the Legacy award from President Jimmy Carter; and

Whereas, Septima Clark worked tirelessly to ensure equal opportunity in society until her death in 1987. Now therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly recognize Septima Clark for a lifetime devoted to the struggle for civil rights and equal opportunity in society.