[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 23 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 23

Expressing the sense of the Senate that the President should award the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays 
 in honor of his distinguished career as an educator, civil and human 
                 rights leader, and public theologian.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 14, 2001

 Mr. Cleland (for himself, Mr. Miller, and Mr. Hollings) submitted the 
   following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
                               Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the Senate that the President should award the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays 
 in honor of his distinguished career as an educator, civil and human 
                 rights leader, and public theologian.

Whereas Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, throughout his distinguished career of more 
        than half a century as an educator, civil and human rights leader, and 
        public theologian, has inspired people of all races throughout the world 
        by his persistent commitment to excellence;
Whereas Benjamin Mays persevered, despite the frustrations inherent in 
        segregation, to begin an illustrious career in education;
Whereas as dean of the School of Religion of Howard University and later as 
        President of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, for 27 years, 
        Benjamin Mays overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles to offer 
        quality education to all Americans, especially African Americans;
Whereas at the commencement of World War II, when most colleges suffered from a 
        lack of available students and the demise of Morehouse College appeared 
        imminent, Benjamin Mays prevented the college from permanently closing 
        its doors by vigorously recruiting potential students and thereby aiding 
        in the development of future generations of African American leaders;
Whereas Benjamin Mays was instrumental in the elimination of segregated public 
        facilities in Atlanta, Georgia, and promoted the cause of nonviolence 
        through peaceful student protests during a time in this Nation that was 
        often marred by racial violence;
Whereas Benjamin Mays received numerous accolades throughout his career, 
        including 56 honorary degrees from universities across the United States 
        and abroad and the naming of 7 schools and academic buildings and a 
        street in his honor; and
Whereas the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the 
        Nation, was established in 1945 to appropriately recognize Americans who 
        have made an especially meritorious contribution to the security or 
        national interests of the United States, world peace, or cultural or 
        other significant public or private endeavors: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that the President 
should award the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to Dr. 
Benjamin Elijah Mays in honor of his distinguished career as an 
educator, civil and human rights leader, and public theologian and his 
many contributions to the improvement of American society and the 
world.
                                 <all>