09 LC
94 1387
Senate
Resolution 709
By:
Senator Powell of the 23rd
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
and commending Mrs. Naomi Ruth Barber King; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Mrs. Naomi Ruth Barber King stood as a First Lady to the Civil Rights Movement,
providing support and encouragement to Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and
her husband, Reverend Dr. Alfred Daniel Williams King; and
WHEREAS,
Mrs. King and her mother, Bessie Barber, moved to Atlanta when she was a child,
where she was brought up in the finest clothes, learned the height of social
graces, and received a high quality education; and
WHEREAS,
Mrs. King's beauty and poise were admired and coveted by others, as she was
often selected by local clothing stores to perform as a fashion model and was
featured in shop circulars and windows; and
WHEREAS,
a stellar student who excelled in French and English, Mrs. King's talent in
writing poetry, singing, and dancing were held in high esteem, and she had the
unique opportunity to address her graduating class at their high school
graduation; and
WHEREAS,
as a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Mrs. King caught the eye of A.D. King,
the youngest son of the church's pastor, Reverend Martin Luther King, Sr., and
his wife, Alberta; and
WHEREAS,
after a story book courtship, she was united in love and marriage to A.D. King,
a partnership that would bless her with five remarkable children;
and
WHEREAS,
during their marriage, Mrs. King and her husband would endure bombings of their
home and threats to their lives as the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum and
changed the world, yet she remained steadfast and provided quiet support to her
husband and his brother; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his vital role in the Civil Rights Movement, Reverend A.D. King shepherded four churches with Mrs. King by his side, initiating harmonious musical concerts, creating women's enrichment programs, and providing gracious tools for living to their devoted congregations; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his vital role in the Civil Rights Movement, Reverend A.D. King shepherded four churches with Mrs. King by his side, initiating harmonious musical concerts, creating women's enrichment programs, and providing gracious tools for living to their devoted congregations; and
WHEREAS,
after her husband's passing, Mrs. King made a commitment to share with the world
his many outstanding contributions, establishing the nonprofit organization, the
A.D. King Foundation; and
WHEREAS,
the A.D. King Foundation educates the public on the real history of the Civil
Rights Movement while highlighting Reverend Dr. A.D. King's role and legacy, and
a documentary project,
A.D. King: Brother to
the Dreamer, has been created honoring his
legendary journey; and
WHEREAS,
in honor of her incredible commitment to change and progress, Mrs. King was
honored with a 2008 Rosa Parks Freedom Award from the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference; and
WHEREAS,
this loving and generous mother, grandmother, and friend is a person of
magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity,
intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and, by the example she has made of her
life, she makes this world a better place in which to live.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend
Mrs. Naomi Ruth Barber King on her inspiring and selfless service to others and
extend their most sincere best wishes for continued health, happiness, and
success.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Mrs. Naomi Ruth Barber
King.