HR196INTRODUCED
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HR196
DG711HN-1
By Representative Forte
RFD:
First Read: 03-Apr-25
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5 DG711HN-1 03/26/2025 (L)evp 2025-1406
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First Read: 03-Apr-25
HR____ HONORING THE LIFE, LEGACY, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF
SAMUEL MILLER.
WHEREAS, with great pride and pleasure, this body
bestows highest honors on the life, legacy, and
accomplishments of United States Veteran and voting rights
activist Samuel Miller of Russell County; and
WHEREAS, Samuel Miller was born on March 5, 1919, in
Eufaula, Alabama; he married Louise Griggs, and to their
holy union 15 children were born; the family worshiped at
Antioch Baptist Church where he served as an ordained deacon
and Chairman of the Deacon Board; and
WHEREAS, Samuel Miller lived a life of service; he
joined the United States Navy and served during World War
II, earning the rank of Seaman First Class; upon his
honorable discharge, he attended the United States Army
Infantry Center where he obtained a diploma and
certification as an Automotive Equipment Repair Inspector;
he served 37 years of civil service in the U.S. Army's
Transportation Motor Pool at Fort Benning, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, Samuel Miller was passionate about serving
his community; he was instrumental in cleaning up corruption
in Russell County and Phenix City, which were riddled with
vice and local officials who took bribes; he was a founding
member of the Russell County Betterment Association, which
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member of the Russell County Betterment Association, which
took on problems that involved discrimination and
disenfranchisement of African Americans; he was one of the
first Black men to register to vote in the county;
recognizing the need to help his community to register to
vote, he joined the Russell County Voting Association; he
taught many people in Russell County to read and write and
pass the literacy test; he and other Russell County
activists campaigned to get every eligible Black person in
the area registered; and
WHEREAS, in 1970, Samuel Miller and the association
changed their focus to getting African Americans elected
into offices in Phenix City; the association continued to
register voters in record numbers but continued to be set
back by roadblocks, particularly in how the districts were
divided, ensuring that White people won the elections; the
association called in the United States Department of
Justice, which drew up new districts with the advice of
Miller and his associates; in 1986, they were successful and
the first Black constable and county commissioners were
elected to public office; and
WHEREAS, Samuel Miller sacrificed many hours to stop
political abuse, to ensure that African Americans in Russell
County were able to vote, and to end segregation; he was a
member of Prince Hall Masonry Lodge and was Master of the
Oswichee Lodge 785; he passed to the embrace of his Lord and
Savior on November 14, 1992; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That the life, legacy, and
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LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That the life, legacy, and
achievements of Samuel Miller as a Veteran and civil rights
activist are given highest honors, and this resolution is
presented to the family of Samuel Miller in recognition of
his work to free Russell County of segregation and voter
suppression.
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