Bill Text: GA HR2188 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: History Markers; Houston, Georgia; commend
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-04-02 - House Hopper [HR2188 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2011-HR2188-Introduced.html
12 LC 35
2721
House
Resolution 2188
By:
Representatives Abdul-Salaam of the
74th,
Talton of the
145th,
O`Neal of the
146th,
Brooks of the
63rd,
and Smith of the
168th
A
RESOLUTION
Honoring
and commending the History Makers of Houston, Georgia, who helped to make the
Honorable Roberta Abdul-Salaam, Ph.D. a great leader and person; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
during her youth, Roberta Abdul-Salaam was fortunate enough to be raised by a
strong grandmother, Mrs. Beatrice Wimberly, who was affectionately called Ms.
Bee by everybody in the community; and
WHEREAS,
her grandmother was involved in the school PTAs, local chapters of the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), served as recording secretary of Mt.
Olive Baptist Church, and many more community activities and civic
organizations; and
WHEREAS,
for every holiday Ms. Abdul-Salaam's grandmother coordinated fun events for all
the youth in the community, she led by example, firm but loving and
compassionate, she never allowed any one she knew to go hungry; and
WHEREAS,
Ms. Bee had four daughters, Meloneaze, Ruth, Ella, and lnez, and was a surrogate
mother to many more; and when Ms. Abdul-Salaam's mother passed away in 1961, Ms.
Bee stopped working outside the home and dedicated her life to raising Roberta
Abdul-Salaam, her sister Shelia, and her brother Theodore; in total she raised
13 grandchildren and even though she had little income, none of the children
ever lacked anything they needed; and
WHEREAS,
other persons that played a significant role in the life of Roberta Abdul-Salaam
were key leaders in her community of Warner Robins in Houston County, Georgia,
including: Mrs. Ada Lee, activist, educational political leader, and personal
mentor; Mr. Silas Smith, a surrogate father, President of Houston County SCLC,
businessman, political leader, and a major leader in the Civil Rights Movement,
working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Andrew Young; and
WHEREAS,
another person who had a significant impact on the life of Roberta Abdul-Salaam
Senator was Senator Sam Nunn, the first people's political campaign she had
worked on as a teenager and he never forgot her answering her call for help in
1982 on a military matter in Adana, Turkey; and
WHEREAS,
other important and prominent figures are Mr. Oscar Thomie, Houston County NAACP
President and a very effective leader and civic organizer; Mrs. Kathleen Bynum,
one of the first black businesswomen to influence the life of Roberta
Abdul-Salaam; Reverend Willie Joe Johnson, Boy Scout leader, civic organizer,
and activist; Mr. & Mrs. Oliver Garmon; Mrs. Ruby Richardson, RNT Funeral
Home; Mrs. Nancy Green; Mr. Sammy Nelson; Mr. Eddie Lee Sanders; Senior Master
Sergeant Jerrie Woods; Mrs. Annie Laura Clarington; Mrs. Pearl Colbert; Mr.
Larry Holmes; Freeman and Billy Colbert; Reverend Donald Jordan; Mr. Alton
Maddox, a teacher who impacted so many young lives at the recreation center; Dan
and Sara Pearl Lawson; Mrs. Rosa Mae Tharpe; Reverend Harold Rawls, Pastor of
Springfield Baptist Church; Deacon Artis Wilson; and County Commissioner Mr.
Houston Porter, the first black elected official in Houston County;
and
WHEREAS,
the Honorable Roberta Abdul-Salaam, Ph.D. was also greatly influenced by her
fellow classmates who are currently holding major leadership roles, including:
Reverend Josh Kirvin, Pastor of First Baptist Church; Reverend Charlie Blackmon;
Reverend Melvin Womack; Reverend Jackie & Sharon Garmon who runs an
Encouragement Ministry; national athlete James Brooks, of the NFL; national
athletes Ron Simmons and DeWayne "the Rock" Johnson who were the first black
champion wrestlers in the WWF; and his brother, Dr. Bobby Simmons, M.D.; Mrs.
Patricia French, international fashion and fragrance entrepreneur; and Wanda
Garmon, surgical nurse; and
WHEREAS,
all of these people from her home have led the Honorable Roberta Abdul-Salaam,
Ph.D. on her path and guided her as she currently walks ahead and although many
of the elders are now deceased, she will cherish each and every one of these
many heroes that mentored her life; and
WHEREAS,
the Honorable Roberta Abdul-Salaam, Ph.D. is a lady of great honor, integrity,
compassion, and honesty, and these strong characteristics and service to the
Georgia General Assembly are only possible due to dedication and love of the
great History Makers of Houston, Georgia.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body join in honoring and commending the great History Makers of Houston,
Georgia, who helped to make the Honorable Roberta Abdul-Salaam, Ph.D. a strong
leader and person.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Honorable
Roberta Abdul-Salaam, Ph.D.