H*3647 Resolution, By Weeks, G.M. Smith and J.H. Neal
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO CONGRATULATE CARL HOLMES, SR., OF SUMTER ON RECEIVING
 THE CIVIL RIGHTS AWARD AT THE SUMTER BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR
 THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE FREEDOM FUND AWARDS BANQUET ON NOVEMBER 8,
 2002, COMMEND HIS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO PROMOTING RACIAL EQUALITY, AND
 WISH HIM EVERY SUCCESS IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

   02/19/03  House  Introduced and adopted HJ-15

TO CONGRATULATE CARL HOLMES, SR., OF SUMTER ON RECEIVING THE CIVIL RIGHTS AWARD AT THE SUMTER BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE FREEDOM FUND AWARDS BANQUET ON NOVEMBER 8, 2002, COMMEND HIS HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO PROMOTING RACIAL EQUALITY, AND WISH HIM EVERY SUCCESS IN HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, Mr. Carl Holmes, Sr., has been active in the Sumter Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for many years and has served in various leadership positions including branch president from 1989 to 1996. He also served as first vice president on the executive committee and as chairperson of various standing committees; and

Whereas, while serving as branch president, Mr. Holmes brought about significant accomplishments of many civil rights issues including the establishment of single member voting districts for the City of Sumter and Sumter School District 17, the implementation of voter registration and education drives, and the hiring of the first African American Human Resources Director for the city and county administrations; and

Whereas, Mr. Holmes was the founder of the "Save Our Children, Save Our Future" coalition, which helped high-risk minority youth gain employment and life skills training. He helped to bring about the recognition of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday in Sumter by initiating dialogue with the city and school district; and

Whereas, creation of the Sumter Unity Program is one of Mr. Holmes' greatest accomplishments. The program is designed to improve race relations in Sumter County by bringing together people of all races to socialize in a climate of mutual respect, and the program resulted in a municipal award for the City of Sumter; and

Whereas, the Sumter Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People received many awards under the guidance of Mr. Holmes including the Outstanding Leadership Award, National Life Membership Production Award, L. A. Blackmon Award, Benjamin Hooks Life Membership Award, and the Bill Cosby Life Membership Award; and

Whereas, Mr. Holmes has been married to Rita Carter Holmes for forty-three years, and they have six children and eight grandchildren. He believes that we must have racial equality in education, our judicial system, and our economic and lending institutions and has dedicated his life to make that belief a reality; and

Whereas, the members of the House of Representatives are proud to recognize Carl Holmes, Sr., for his commitment to racial equality and his dedication to helping young people build a better life for themselves. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate Carl Holmes, Sr., of Sumter on receiving the Civil Rights Award from the Sumter Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Freedom Fund Awards Banquet on November 8, 2002, commend his hard work and dedication to promoting racial equality, and wish him every success in his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Carl Holmes, Sr., of Sumter.