HR0230 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0230 LRB099 11226 MST 31883 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize H.D. Darby on his accomplishments during the Civil Rights movement and for his role in fighting for voter rights; and

WHEREAS, In the early 1950s, H.D. Darby tried several times to register to vote, but was denied each time, being told that he did not "qualify"; and

WHEREAS, H.D. Darby filled a lawsuit against the State of Mississippi to be able to register to vote without having to interpret the state's constitution; and

WHEREAS, H.D. Darby was victorious in his lawsuit and that victory gave African-Americans the right to vote in Mississippi just as all other citizens could; and

WHEREAS, H.D. Darby's grandson, Christopher Blanks, who is a poet, author, and youth mentor and the founder of The Black Abolition Movement for the Mind, Inc., continues to carry on his family's tradition of community activism; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize H.D. Darby on his accomplishments during the Civil Rights movement and for his role in fighting for voter rights; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of H.D. Darby as an expression of our esteem and respect.