MS HR19

Commemorates civil rights icon Peggy Jean Connor, who passed away on January 13, 2018, and expresses deepest sympathy to her family and friends.

Recognizes Connor's role as a citizenship teacher, voting rights activist, and executive secretary of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, which she helped establish as an alternative to the exclusionary Mississippi Democratic Party.

Honors Connor's legal victory in Connor v. Johnson (1980), a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that struck down multi-member districts in Mississippi's Constitution, opening the path for African Americans to become state legislators.

Acknowledges Connor's additional civil rights achievements, including a lawsuit against Owl Drugstore in Hattiesburg for racial discrimination, and her receipt of the Carter G. Woodson Black History Award for Courage in Civil Rights.

Directs that copies of the resolution be furnished to the Connor family and Capitol Press Corps.