Mark 15th Amendment Anniversary

Senate Resolution No. 2653 BY: Senator PARKER COMMEMORATING the 150th Anniversary of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commemorate significant events which represent turning points in our unique history and which are indelibly etched in the saga of our great Nation; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; and WHEREAS, The 15th Amendment to the Constitution granted African-American men the right to vote by declaring that the "right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."; and WHEREAS, Although ratified on February 3, 1870, the promise of the 15th Amendment would not be fully realized for almost a century; through the use of poll taxes, literacy tests and other means, Southern states were able to effectively disenfranchise African-Americans; and WHEREAS, It would take the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 before the majority of African-Americans in the South were registered to vote; the first vote drawn was by A.R. Waud; and WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commemorate events of significance in the history and progress of society; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.