H*5224 Session 112 (1997-1998)
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.
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