05 LC 98
0447
House
Resolution 422
By:
Representatives Murphy of the
120th,
Thomas of the
55th,
Williams of the
165th,
Smyre of the
132nd,
Watson of the
91st,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
and honoring the life and achievements of Mr. Ossie Davis; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
Mr. Ossie Davis, the oldest of five children of a self-taught railroad engineer,
was born in Cogdell, Georgia, and grew up in nearby Waycross and Valdosta;
and
WHEREAS,
this native son went on to become one of the most celebrated African American
actors in history; and
WHEREAS,
one year after graduating in the top 5 percent of his high school class with an
already burgeoning interest in theater, Mr. Davis headed to Washington, D.C.,
with his year's savings and a National Youth Administration scholarship to
attend Howard University; and
WHEREAS,
he moved to New York City to try his talents on the stage, and, in 1939, he
became involved with the Rose McClendon Players in Harlem where he met some of
the most influential African Americans of his time; and
WHEREAS,
he served his country with honor and courage during World War II as a surgical
technician in an Army hospital in Liberia, treating both wounded troops and
local inhabitants as well as writing and performing in shows for the troops;
and
WHEREAS,
he made his Broadway debut in
Jeb,
a play about a returning soldier, and met the actress Ruby Dee, whom he married
in 1948; and
WHEREAS,
together they became leading activists in the civil rights era, serving as
masters of ceremonies for the historic 1963 March on Washington, defending black
voting rights, and lending their powerful voices in support of sickle cell
disease research; and
WHEREAS,
he delivered powerful eulogies at the funerals of both Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr., and Malcolm X, eloquently expressing the sentiments of so many during these
tragic moments in his moving baritone voice; and
WHEREAS,
his acting career was distinguished for roles dealing with racial injustice on
the stage and the screen, and he was a strong advocate for African Americans in
the entertainment industry; and
WHEREAS,
his eminent career as a writer and producer included such works as
Purlie
Victorious, a satire addressing the
historical and psychological significance of segregation,
Countdown at
Kusini, the first American feature film
shot entirely in Africa by black professionals, and his first feature film as a
director, the box office hit,
Cotton Comes to
Harlem; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Davis worked throughout his life to establish a legacy of freedom and social
justice for the youth of Georgia and this great nation; and
WHEREAS,
the month of February is set aside as a time to reflect upon and celebrate the
leading figures in black history.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body join in honoring the life of Mr. Ossie Davis, celebrated actor,
writer, and director, determined civil rights activist, and distinguished
Georgian and recognize his many significant contributions to this state and the
nation.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of
Mr. Ossie Davis.