H.R. No. 120



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Osceola Mays of Dallas passed away on April 20, 
2004, at the age of 94, and the loss of this esteemed poet and singer 
has left a void in the lives of those who knew and loved her; and
	WHEREAS, Born Nell Douglas on December 13, 1909, in Waskom, 
Mrs. Mays chose the name Osceola as a young girl after being visited 
at home by an American Indian; it was during her adolescence that 
Osceola was introduced to the history of her family by her mother 
and grandmother, who together immersed her in the oral tradition of 
poetry and song; and
	WHEREAS, After the death of her mother, Mrs. Mays began 
writing poems of her own as part of the grieving process, and she 
continued to preserve the stories of her family, sharing the tales 
of triumph and tragedy with all who  cared to listen; and
	WHEREAS, Mrs. Mays married Clarence Mays in 1936 and, after 
moving to Dallas nine years later, began a 30-year career as a nanny 
and domestic worker; she joined Good Street Baptist Church in 1951, 
and 30 years later she presented a program featuring her poetry and 
unique spiritual singing style to her fellow congregants as part of 
Black History Month; and
	WHEREAS, The success of this presentation led to a similar 
performance at the Dallas Folk Festival in October 1983; in 1989, 
with her 80th birthday nearing, she performed in the stage show 
Texas in Paris in the famed City of Lights, earning rave reviews; 
the show was later revived in Florence, Italy; and
	WHEREAS, Osceola Mays was a woman of rare grace and 
compassion whose life served as a link between the past and the 
present, and although she will be missed by family and friends 
alike, her spirit remains with them through her legacy of poetry and 
song; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of 
Osceola Mays and extend deepest sympathy to her family: to her 
sisters, Georgia Perkins, Hattie M. White, and Mamie Douglas; to 
the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of her late husband; and 
to the other relatives and friends of this remarkable woman; and, be 
it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas House 
of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Osceola 
Mays.

                                                                 Jones of Dallas


                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 120 was unanimously adopted by a 
rising vote of the House on May 17, 2004.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House