2007 Senate Resolution 14
ENGROSSED RESOLUTION
Relating to: commending the life and public service of Jarius Anthony Josey.
Whereas, Jarius Anthony Josey was born to Anthony and Patience Josey on January 6, 1876, in Augusta, Georgia; and
Whereas, he graduated from Atlanta University in 1905; and
Whereas, he married Chestena Carmichael in 1905 and moved to Madison shortly thereafter; and
Whereas, he enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School class of 1910, becoming one of the first African Americans to attend the University of Wisconsin Law School; and
Whereas, in 1915, he helped to found Mount Zion Baptist Church in Madison, where he later served as chairman of its board of trustees; and
Whereas, in 1916, he helped found the Wisconsin Weekly Blade, where he worked as editor-in-chief for three decades, taking positions on almost every issue of importance to African Americans in Wisconsin; and
Whereas, he eventually moved to Milwaukee, and there established the Blade as Wisconsin's first successful African American newspaper; and
Whereas, in the pages of the Blade, he courageously advocated against discrimination in juries, the military, and government employment; and
Whereas, his editorials were instrumental in opening up the political process and exposing political discrimination around Wisconsin and America; and
Whereas, after his career with the Blade, he continued to serve his community by opening a real estate business dedicated to helping minority home buyers; and
Whereas, as a dedicated servant of Milwaukee, he helped to organize and further Milwaukee's Northside YMCA; and
Whereas, he earned such acclaim as a champion for equal rights and opportunity that he was asked to sit on dozens of Milwaukee committees regarding interracial affairs and was consulted by sitting United States Presidents; and
Whereas, he died on July 7, 1957, after a lifetime devoted to improving the status of Wisconsin's African American population; and
Whereas, the adoption of this senate resolution is supported not only by the senate, but also by members of the assembly, including specifically Representatives Sheridan, Schneider, Young, Grigsby, Sinicki, Mason, Fields, Benedict, Turner, and Hintz; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, That the members of the Wisconsin senate do hereby honor and celebrate the groundbreaking life and accomplishments of Jarius Anthony Josey.
