Bill Text: MS HC139 | 2011 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Mrs. Lou Emma Allen; commend life and legacy upon her passing.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Failed) 2011-04-07 - Died In Committee [HC139 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2011-HC139-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Whittington, Perkins
House Concurrent Resolution 139
(As Adopted by House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER, LOU EMMA ALLEN, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.
WHEREAS, Mrs. Lou Emma Allen, an iconic Civil Rights era pioneer throughout the Mississippi Delta and the entire State of Mississippi, departed this earthly life on Monday, December 14, 2009, to enter into eternal rest with her Heavenly Father in her eternal home, rendering a great loss to her family and friends; and
WHEREAS, having lived a life dedicated to giving back to the citizens of her community and leading in the quest for civil rights for all people of the State of Mississippi during the majority of her 96 years upon this earth, Mrs. Allen demonstrated the qualities of a great leader at an early age, traits that became all the more robust when she later joined the Greenwood Voters League and offered her home to volunteers of the 1964 Freedom Summer voter registration drive; and
WHEREAS, a heroine among heroes, Mrs. Allen's unbridled resolve to advance equality for all, particularly for African Americans' right to vote, during some of our state's most turbulent years, places her amongst the distinguished vanguard of Civil Rights' ambassadors and activists, including: Fannie Lou Hamer, Medgar Evers, Bob Moses, James Meredith, Charles Evers, Myrlie Evers-Williams, Reverend Aaron Johnson, Mickey Schwerner, James Chaney, and Andrew Goodman, to name a few; and
WHEREAS, driven by her faith in our Lord and Savior as the compass for her life and the heart and soul of her very existence, Mrs. Allen's reputation and rapport preceded her presence, as she always garnered respect and recognition for her accomplishments on behalf of her fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Allen was a devoted Christian who committed her soul's redemption to the Holy Trinity by serving in the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for most of her adult life; and
WHEREAS, as was purposed by love's design and blueprint for her life, Mrs. Allen's path intersected with the lifeline of Mr. A.J. Allen, Jr., and together they built an enduring legacy of service, faith and family, as bone of one another's bone and flesh of one another's flesh until the great Deity deemed it proper to separate them by summoning Mr. Allen to eternal rest; and
WHEREAS, though she has traversed the river of life to now stand upon Heaven's celestial shores, having laid down her mortal sword and staff to await her heavenly reward, the legacy of her memory will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of her survivors: children, Juanita Roundtree, Thomas B. Brown, Jr., and A.J. Allen; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives, colleagues and friends; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the life of such a remarkably wonderful Mississippian, as demonstrated by the life and qualities of Mrs. Allen, a loving mother, leader, colleague and friend, whose life was lived without reservation and whose very being was a gift to her community and state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of Mrs. Lou Emma Allen and express deepest sympathy to her family and friends upon her passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mrs. Lou Emma Allen and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
