| 1 | 1 | | 25 LC 112 2977 |
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| 2 | 2 | | House Resolution 237 |
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| 3 | 3 | | By: Representative Au of the 50 |
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| 4 | 4 | | th |
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| 5 | 5 | | |
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| 6 | 6 | | A RESOLUTION |
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| 7 | 7 | | Recognizing and commending John Suttles; and for other purposes. |
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| 8 | 8 | | 1 |
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| 9 | 9 | | WHEREAS, John Suttles courageously participated in the historic Bloody Sunday march in2 |
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| 10 | 10 | | Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965, at just 16 years old, walking in pursuit of civil rights3 |
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| 11 | 11 | | alongside hundreds of peaceful demonstrators; and4 |
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| 12 | 12 | | WHEREAS, on the day of the march, he wore an army jacket given to him by his uncle,5 |
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| 13 | 13 | | which is now preserved and displayed at a national interpretive center; and6 |
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| 14 | 14 | | WHEREAS, the march, which saw 600 protesters of diverse backgrounds crossing the7 |
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| 15 | 15 | | Edmund Pettus Bridge on their way to Montgomery, stands as a defining moment in the Civil8 |
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| 16 | 16 | | Rights Movement; and9 |
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| 17 | 17 | | WHEREAS, despite being hospitalized as a result of the violence that took place on Bloody10 |
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| 18 | 18 | | Sunday, John Suttles remained undeterred and took part in the subsequent marches from11 |
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| 19 | 19 | | Selma to Montgomery, including the final march that began on March 21 and successfully12 |
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| 20 | 20 | | reached Montgomery on March 24, 1965; and13 |
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| 21 | 21 | | H. R. 237 |
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| 22 | 22 | | - 1 - 25 LC 112 2977 |
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| 23 | 23 | | WHEREAS, the sacrifices of John Suttles and his fellow demonstrators contributed to the |
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| 24 | 24 | | 14 |
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| 25 | 25 | | passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was signed into law that August, securing15 |
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| 26 | 26 | | legal protections for African American voters; and16 |
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| 27 | 27 | | WHEREAS, he and his wife, Kay, now reside in Johns Creek, Georgia, where they continue17 |
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| 28 | 28 | | to inspire future generations by encouraging civic engagement through voting, political18 |
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| 29 | 29 | | participation, and public service; and19 |
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| 30 | 30 | | WHEREAS, this distinguished gentleman has given inspiration to many through his high20 |
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| 31 | 31 | | ideals, morals, and deep concern for his fellow citizens, and he possesses the vast wisdom21 |
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| 32 | 32 | | which only comes through experience and the strength of character which is achieved22 |
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| 33 | 33 | | through overcoming the many challenges of life; and23 |
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| 34 | 34 | | WHEREAS, he is a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for24 |
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| 35 | 35 | | integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness; and25 |
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| 36 | 36 | | WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this26 |
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| 37 | 37 | | remarkable individual be appropriately recognized.27 |
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| 38 | 38 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that28 |
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| 39 | 39 | | the members of this body recognize and commend John Suttles for his bravery, courage, and29 |
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| 40 | 40 | | perseverance in the face of violence as well as his contributions to racial justice and equality30 |
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| 41 | 41 | | in the United States and extend best wishes for future health and happiness.31 |
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| 42 | 42 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized32 |
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| 43 | 43 | | and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to John33 |
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| 44 | 44 | | Suttles.34 |
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| 45 | 45 | | H. R. 237 |
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| 46 | 46 | | - 2 - |
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