08 LC 95
0466
Senate
Resolution 1171
By:
Senator Ramsey, Sr. of the 43rd
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
December 13 of each year as Flat Rock Archives Day; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Flat Rock community is located within the territorial boundaries of Arabia
Mountain and Panola Mountain, which territories include the South River and the
Yellow River, lakes, ponds, walking trails, sacred burial sites, and historic
homes; and
WHEREAS,
the Flat Rock community established two churches for Blacks, Bethel Baptist
Church and Flat Rock Methodist Church, later renamed Flat Rock United Methodist
Church; and
WHEREAS,
history shows that the Flat Rock area included the oldest and largest Black and
Native American territorial settlement in the early 1800's; and
WHEREAS,
the foundation of Flat Rock culture today is built upon the efforts, life
skills, and mode of survival of these early settlers, whose forefathers forged
trails toward the achievement of a better quality of life producing noted
educators and leaders in various professions; and
WHEREAS,
with limited educational resources and facilities, reading, writing, and life
skills were taught in first through seventh grades; and
WHEREAS,
the last teacher before school consolidation was Frankie Bates Hardy, and the
school was supported by an endowment from a philanthropist from Pennsylvania,
which endowment was to be used for southern Black schools; and
WHEREAS,
the students from the Flat Rock community attended the Lithonia School for
Negroes, under the leadership of Principal Albert I. Brooks, which was supported
by the DeKalb County School system in Lithonia, Georgia; and
WHEREAS,
later the DeKalb County School System built Bruce Street Elementary and High
School to replace the Lithonia School for Negroes; and
WHEREAS,
recently the DeKalb County School System built a new elementary school in the
community which is named Flat Rock Elementary under the leadership of Dr.
Shelton Wright; and
WHEREAS,
the Flat Rock community, under the direction of Mr. Johnny Waites, Ms. Vera
Whitaker, Reverend T. A. Bryant, Jr., Mr. Lamar Guthrie, and other family,
friends, and supporters have researched the history of the Flat Rock Community
to establish the Flat Rock Archives.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that December 13 of each year shall be
recognized as Flat Rock Archives Day to be celebrated within the Flat Rock
community and the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area, thereby giving honor and
special recognition to the forefathers of the Flat Rock community, its history,
traditions, and extended families.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Flat Rock Archives.