Bill Text: MS SC571 | 2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commend life and legacy of Civil Rights leader and activist Dr. Cleveland Donald, Jr.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-3)
Status: (Passed) 2012-03-05 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC571 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2012-SC571-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Burton, Butler (38th), Fillingane, Frazier, Jackson (32nd), Simmons (13th), Stone, Hill
Senate Concurrent Resolution 571
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. CLEVELAND DONALD, JR., AN ICON OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT FROM NEWTON, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, Dr. Cleveland Donald, Jr., an icon of the Civil Rights Movement from Newton, Mississippi, departed this earthly life on January 24, 2012, at the blessed age of 65; and
WHEREAS, a native of Newton, Mississippi, and the eldest of five children, Dr. Donald was born on April 10, 1946, to the marital union of Cleveland and Rosia Donald; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donald's father was a World War II Veteran and was instrumental in forming the American Veterans Committee at a time when African-Americans were not welcome in the American Veterans of Foreign Wars; and
WHEREAS, following in his father's footsteps and active in promoting civil rights, Dr. Donald served as a Youth Field Coalition Leader for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and while in high school, he led his fellow students at Sam M. Brinkley High School in one of the largest protest marches of the period; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donald, who always knew the importance and value of continuing his education, enrolled in Tougaloo College, after graduating high school as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist at the age of 17; and
WHEREAS, following the path of James Meredith, Dr. Donald later transferred to the University of Mississippi during the tumultuous Civil Rights Era at the university, and was the second African-American to graduate from Ole Miss and the last to enter under federal protection; and
WHEREAS, during his time at Ole Miss, Dr. Donald was under the protection of Federal Marshals while he attended classes and lived in a volatile environment, and he responded very simply and humbly to the openly hostile and sometimes violent circumstances he encountered as a student at the university; and
WHEREAS, after earning his bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi in 1966, Dr. Donald went on to graduate from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, with a Ph.D. in Latin American History and a specialty in Brazilian History; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donald's graduate thesis compared the impact of slavery in Brazil with the impact of American slavery, and he was fluent in Portuguese and was frequently invited as a Lecturer at the University of Brazil at Brasilia; and
WHEREAS, returning to his Alma Mater in 1977, Dr. Donald helped to establish the first Black Studies Program at Ole Miss; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donald taught a range of subjects and held Professorships across the Nation at the University of Texas, the State University of New York, the University of Massachusetts and the University of Connecticut; and
WHEREAS, serving institutions of higher learning beyond his Professorships, Dr. Donald served as Vice-Chancellor at the University of Massachusetts and as Director of the University of Connecticut at Waterbury; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donald's journey in academia afforded him the opportunity to encounter and work with people from all walks of life, and he was revered by many for his giving and generous nature; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donald had a great legacy at the schools where he held Professorships; his classes left students vying for coveted seats to learn from a Professor who challenged conventional thinking, making people want to better themselves; and
WHEREAS, a gifted Bible scholar, Dr. Donald valued above all else his faith in Christ and seized every opportunity to enlighten others by teaching the simplicity and depth of the gospel; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Donald's loving survivors include: mother, Rosia Donald; son, Cleveland Donald, III; daughters, Krista Donald and Toyetta Donald; four brothers, Judge John Donald, Major General James Donald, Reverend Larry Donald and Master Sergeant Howard Donald; sisters-in-law, Janit, Shirley and Thelma; and a host of other family members and friends; and
WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of this great educator and positive role model, who has touched the lives of individuals in academia, his community and the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and legacy of Dr. Cleveland Donald, Jr., Civil Rights leader and activist, and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Dr. Cleveland Donald, Jr., and made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
