SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1998-8713

By Senators Brown, Franklin, Prince, Jacobsen, Heavey, Kline, Snyder, B. Sheldon and Kohl

     WHEREAS, Carl Maxey was a man of great character, compassion, and intelligence who fought discrimination and became a giant in civil rights; and

     WHEREAS, His life symbolized the pursuit of justice and human rights for all people; and

     WHEREAS, He beat the odds of a troubled childhood, became an impressive boxer, and later successful trial lawyer, defending the underdog and the underclass; and

     WHEREAS, His life's goal was to have all people, regardless of age, race, creed, sex, or economic circumstance, enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and

     WHEREAS, While serving his country as a medic during World War II, Carl Maxey encountered segregation in the Army; and

     WHEREAS, Carl Maxey graduated from Gonzaga Law School in 1951 and began representing poor defendants for ten dollars a day; and

     WHEREAS, Throughout his legal career, Carl Maxey continued to donate free legal services to the poor, regardless of age, race, creed, or sex; and

     WHEREAS, In the 1960's he joined the heart of the civil rights movement in Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, He returned to his native Spokane where he became a champion for the African-American community; and

     WHEREAS, Carl Maxey was instrumental in abolishing state laws that allowed bars, taverns, and social clubs to refuse to serve blacks; and

     WHEREAS, He continued fighting for civil rights until his tragic death on July 17, 1997;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Senate of the State of Washington recognize, honor, and remember Carl Maxey for his compassion and tireless efforts on behalf of civil rights in the State of Washington and nationwide; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we respect the great achievements of Carl Maxey and others like him, and carry on where they left off to stand up against injustice and oppression.

I, Mike O=Connell, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1998-8713,

adopted by the Senate March 4, 1998.

MIKE O=CONNELL

Secretary of the Senate