Bill Text: MS SC580 | 2015 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Mourn the passing and paying tribute to the Civic and Christian Leadership and Legacy of Reverend Dr. David Matthews of Sunflower County.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-03-09 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC580 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2015-SC580-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Simmons (13th), Butler (38th), Frazier, Jackson (32nd), Jordan
Senate Concurrent Resolution 580
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE CIVIC AND CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP, LEGACY AND LONGEVITY OF REVEREND DR. DAVID MATTHEWS OF SUNFLOWER COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, ON THE OCCASION OF "SENIOR CITIZENS DAY AT THE NEW CAPITOL."
WHEREAS, Reverend Dr. David Matthews, fondly called "REB" by his former students at Gentry High School in Indianola, Mississippi, has established a respected legacy of civic and Christian leadership and dedication in Sunflower County. Dr. Matthews will be an honored guest at the "Senior Citizens Day at the New Capitol" for citizens age 90 and above; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Matthews' latest achievement is his appearance in the documentary "The Life of Riley," which is B.B. King's life story where Dr. Matthews joins B.B.'s family, friends and contemporaries in unveiling the true-life drama that was the springboard for the future "King of the Blues"; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Matthews was born on January 29, 1920, on Woodburn Plantation to sharecropping parents, Albert and Bertha Matthews. He was the oldest of four boys and is known for sharing his experiences of working for 50¢ a day; and a day's work was from sunup to sundown. Reverend Matthews is a stellar example of achievement because he is the product of a three-month school system for African-Americans. He was drafted into World War II before graduating high school, but after serving his time, he returned to earn his high school diploma from Indianola Colored High; and
WHEREAS, he enrolled in Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, and was a schoolmate with Martin Luther King, Jr. He had never seen a microscope or a laboratory, but in spite of what he had not seen, he graduated from Morehouse. He was the first graduate from Indianola Colored High to graduate from Morehouse College; and
WHEREAS, Matthews returned back to Indianola after leaving Morehouse. He met and married Lillian Banks Matthews and they had one child, Denise. He was called to Bell Grove Baptist Church in 1951 and has been there ever since; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Matthews is now 95 years old and is considered a living legend and visionary. Among his many achievements are:
· Married for 62 years and counting;
· Pastored for 62 years and counting;
· Taught school for 33 years, 25 at Gentry High;
· President of General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi, Inc., for 24 years;
· Vice President of the National Baptist Convention U.S.A., Inc., for 23 years;
· Supervisor of Oratorical Contest of National Convention for 21 years;
· Moderator of Sunflower County Baptist Association for 33 years and counting;
· First Black Democratic Election Commissioner for Sunflower County;
· First Black Deputy Chancery Clerk of Sunflower County;
· First Black Honorary Deputy Sheriff; served on the Governor's Commission of Mississippi for two Governors (Finch and Waller);
· Met with two Presidents of the United States of America (Ford and Clinton); dined in the White House with Clinton;
· Received three Honorary Doctorate degrees;
· Built a $2 Million Edifice at age 86 in 2006; and
· Is the family Patriarch now at 95 years of age, surrounded by one wife, one daughter, five grandchildren, and a host of nephews and nieces; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Matthews is still preaching, still attending associations, conventions and congresses and very active for the Lord. He is truly blessed, highly favored and worthy of recognition for achievements; and it is with great pride that we recognize a record of achievement and legacy of leadership and dedication to this most public-spirited citizen 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 pay tribute to the Civic and Christian Leadership, Legacy and Longevity of the Reverend Dr. David Matthews of Sunflower County, Mississippi, on the occasion of "Senior Citizens Day at the New Capitol" hosted by the Mississippi Outreach Foundation, Inc., on February 24, 2015, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature to Dr. Matthews and his family on this occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Matthews and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
