1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring the memory of Charles E. Mays.
1.3WHEREAS, Charles E. Mays, a beloved community organizer and civil rights leader, was born on
1.4July 23, 1933, in Milwaukee and served on the Milwaukee Mayor's Committee on Human Rights and worked
1.5with its Neighborhood Job Corps; and
1.6WHEREAS, Charles then went to the University of Minnesota where he received his Bachelor of
1.7Science Degree in 1956, majoring in sociology with minors in psychology and philosophy, then served in
1.8the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958, based at Fort Chaffee Arkansas, where he often was refused service and
1.9called racist epithets whenever he left the base; and
1.10WHEREAS, he returned to Minneapolis to work in the Minneapolis Relief Department from 1959
1.11to 1966, where he supervised the Work Relief Program and headed the Commodity Food Program, and also
1.12served as President of the Joint Committee for Equal Opportunity of Greater Minneapolis; and
1.13WHEREAS, he then joined the leadership staff of the National Association for the Advancement of
1.14Colored People where he worked until 1972 and played a pivotal role in changing the voting age to 18 and
1.15worked for voting rights, housing rights, and school desegregation in the Twin Cities and beyond; and
1.16WHEREAS, in 1978, he received his master's degree in psychology and social work from the
1.17University of Minnesota, then continued his community service as a social worker until he retired; and
1.18WHEREAS, he worked in the public and private sectors, specializing in youth and addiction, serving
1.19in the public schools and as YMCA Group Leader. Caring and compassionate, he changed many clients'
1.20lives, helping them to find work, stabilize their conditions, and flourish; and
1.21WHEREAS, he embraced a life of exploration and connecting with the African diaspora, traveling
1.22frequently to Africa and the Caribbean, especially to help people in Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and South
1.23Africa; and
1.24WHEREAS, late in life, he worked for the rights of the elderly, became President of the Twin Cities
1.25Chapter of the AARP, and served as Co-chair of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Legacy Council
2.1where he was instrumental in the revitalization of the park, for which he won the Minnesota Park and
2.2Recreation Board's MLK "Living the Dream" award in 2015; and
2.3WHEREAS, after a life of giving, Charles died on June 5, 2019, and a celebration of his life will be
2.4held on July 4, 2019, at Unity South Twin Cities in Bloomington. He will be remembered for his warm
2.5laugh and reverberating chuckle, his broad smile, his joie de vivre, his dignified style, and his well of deep
2.6human compassion; and
2.7NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it honors
2.8Charles E. Mays for his life of empathy, compassion, philanthropy, and service. It extends its deepest
2.9condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him.
2.10BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an enrolled
2.11copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the Chair of the Senate
2.12Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the family of Charles E. Mays.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Paul E. GazelkaChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Jeff HaydenState Senator, District 62