SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

1998 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 27
Commending Maizelle Brown.

Agreed to by the Senate, January 22, 1998
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 30, 1998

WHEREAS, Maizelle Brown grew up in the Church Street area of Norfolk, which 30 to 40 years ago was "downtown" to Norfolk's African-American community; and

WHEREAS, the vibrant Church Street of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s is all but gone now, but Maizelle Brown, who as a child had a front-row seat, is doing her best to preserve this vital part of Norfolk's heritage; and

WHEREAS, an award-winning artist, Maizelle Brown has created a series of paintings that capture the unique life and atmosphere of Church Street, and her striking images will be used to restore some of the glory that was Church Street; and

WHEREAS, through the generosity of Maizelle Brown, the nonprofit Crispus Attucks Cultural Center will use Maizelle Brown's "Night at the Attucks Theatre," on T-shirts, coffee mugs, and other commemorative items to raise funds for the restoration of the historic theater; and

WHEREAS, the centerpiece of Church Street, the Attucks Theatre was known as "Norfolk's Apollo," where the top African-American entertainers of the day performed; and

WHEREAS, Maizelle Brown's striking painting of the theater should prove instrumental in the preservation and restoration of this historic Norfolk landmark; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend Maizelle Brown on her exceptional talent, her generosity, and her appreciation for and dedication to the history of her hometown; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Maizelle Brown as an expression of the General Assembly's appreciation for her uniquely valuable contributions to the history of Norfolk.