2020 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 24
BY SENATOR PEACOCK
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend Shirley Wills on her many years of exemplary civic activism as a community
leader and as a member of the Caddo Parish Police Jury, and to congratulate her on
the occasion of her seventy-fifth birthday.
WHEREAS, during her tenure as a police juror, from 1978 until 1984, Shirley Wills
witnessed an era of extraordinary economic growth and infrastructure construction in
Northwest Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, on October 4, 1978, Shirley Wills was sworn in as the first
African-American woman elected to serve on the Caddo Parish Police Jury, the predecessor
of the Caddo Parish Commission, where she represented the communities of Stoner Hill,
Anderson Island, and portions of Allendale and Highland; and
WHEREAS, as a member of the police jury, Shirley Wills successfully brought about
improvements in street maintenance, solutions to critical drainage issues, and the increased
availability of affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, she also played a major role in the equitable reapportionment of local
districts within the municipality of Shreveport; and
WHEREAS, after her public service, Shirley has continued in her role as an active
participant in community affairs; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Wills is a dedicated civil rights activist and an active member
of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), where she
once served on its Executive Board Committee; and
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WHEREAS, to promote a closer sense of community and to recognize the good
works of past civic activists, Shirley Wills had Stoner Hill Elementary School renamed for
an exceptional educator and the school's pioneering principal, Elijah B. Williams; it is now
known as the E.B. Williams Stoner Hill Elementary Lab School; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Wills sought to honor the community activism and spiritual
leadership of the long-time pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church, the Reverend Dr. C.E.
Galloway, and with her persistence, Hopewell Street was renamed C.E. Galloway
Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, Shirley dictated an oral history of her activism, culture, and
professional life that may be heard at the Norton Art Gallery; and
WHEREAS, as a graduate of Shreveport Business College, Shirley was employed
by Western Electric, now AT&T, for thirty-two years, beginning in 1969, until her
retirement in 2001; and
WHEREAS, Shirley was married to the late Joe Robert Wills for fifty-two years until
his passing; together they made a Christian family home and reaped the many blessings of
God's love; and their union was blessed with two sons, the Reverend Jerard Wills and the
late Jerado Wills, and four precious grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Shirley is a long-time member of St. Peter Baptist Church where she
is quite active as a Sunday School teacher and as a board member on the Mission and
Deaconess boards; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Wills is empowered by her faith in God and is encouraged by
her favorite scripture from Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ, who
strengthens me"; and
WHEREAS, Shirley Wills is well aware that educational opportunities are vital to
the growth and prosperity of any community; she is an avid supporter of the Parent Teacher
Student Association (PTSA) at Claiborne Elementary and Queensborough Elementary
schools and an active alumnus of Booker T. Washington High School, Class of 1963; and
WHEREAS, on Monday, November 4, 2019, along with friends and family
members, Shirley Wills celebrated her seventy-fifth birthday and reflected upon a life
well-spent in service to her community, her God, and her fellow man.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend Shirley Wills as a civic leader and community activist of the highest order, does
hereby recognize that her activism has contributed immensely to the growth and prosperity
of Shreveport and Caddo Parish, does hereby congratulate her on the occasion of her
seventy-fifth birthday, and does hereby wish her continued good health and happiness.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Shirley Wills.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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