HLS 14RS-1492 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 73
BY REPRESENTATIVE THIERRY
CONDOLENCES: Expresses the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the
death of noted civil rights leader, educator, and pastor, Rev. Charles E. Bryant,
Ph.D., of Opelousas
A RESOLUTION1
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of noted2
Opelousas civil rights leader, educator, and pastor, Rev. Charles E. Bryant, Ph.D.3
WHEREAS, Rev. Charles E. Bryant, Ph.D., the youngest of seven children, was born4
in 1932, and although he lost his parents at an early age, he graduated as an honor student5
from J.S. Clark High School, served honorably in the United States Air Force, and earned6
undergraduate, graduate, and law degrees at Southern University; and7
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Charles E. Bryant was predeceased by his loving wife of fifty-8
three years, Betty Tolbert Bryant; to this union one daughter, Monaceita Maria Bryant, was9
born; and10
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Charles E. Bryant pastored Little Zion Baptist Church for over11
eighteen years; and12
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Charles E. Bryant is remembered as a dynamic and trail-13
blazing educator who taught English and speech at the former Washington High School and14
served for four years in the position of associate assistant state superintendent of education15
and in later years as Southern University's director of mentoring programs and as an16
associate professor in the graduate school, helping to give countless African-American17
students from St. Landry Parish and beyond the opportunity to receive an advanced18
education; and19 HLS 14RS-1492 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 73
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WHEREAS, perhaps Rev. Dr. Charles E. Bryant's greatest legacy is his activism in1
the struggle for civil rights during the 1960s, in which he helped to found and lead the2
St. Landry Chapter of the NAACP, was jailed more than forty times in attempts to integrate3
lunch counters and schools, led boycotts and sit-ins, all the while using his acknowledged4
gift of calmly speaking truth to power; and5
WHEREAS, during those turbulent times, Rev. Dr. Charles E. Bryant never let fear6
stop him or let tension show in dealings with the local White Citizens Council, always7
recognizing the humanity of all people and maintaining the commitment to break down8
racial barriers rather than to further divide the citizenry; and9
WHEREAS, once integration had been achieved, Rev. Dr. Charles E. Bryant served10
as director of Displaced Educators, an organization seeking to assure that black educators11
would find a home in the new education system; and12
WHEREAS, Rev. Dr. Charles E. Bryant passed away on March 1, 2014, at the age13
of eighty-one, leaving behind a legacy of accomplishment, dignity, and integrity exemplified14
by the song, "My Living Shall Not Be in Vain".15
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the16
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express its condolences to the family of Rev. Dr.17
Charles E. Bryant upon his death.18
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted19
to the family of Rev. Dr. Charles E. Bryant.20
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Thierry HR No. 73
Expresses the condolences of the La. House of Representatives upon the death of Rev. Dr.
Charles E. Bryant of Opelousas, La.