Senate Resolution No. 118

BY: Senator PARKER

COMMEMORATING the 151st Anniversary of the 15th
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commemorate
significant events which represent turning points in our unique history
and which are indelibly etched in the saga of our great Nation; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 151st Anniversary of the 15th Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution; and

WHEREAS, The 15th Amendment to the Constitution granted
African-American men the right to vote by declaring that the "right of
citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by
the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous
condition of servitude."; and

WHEREAS, Although ratified on February 3, 1870, the promise of the
15th Amendment would not be fully realized for almost a century; through
the use of poll taxes, literacy tests and other means, Southern states
were able to effectively disenfranchise African-Americans; and

WHEREAS, It would take the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
before the majority of African-Americans in the South were registered to
vote; the first vote drawn was by A.R. Waud; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate
events of significance in the history and progress of society; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 151st Anniversary of the 15th Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution.