Joint Resolution of the Georgia General Assembly

Feb. 26, 1957

COMMENDING ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.

No. 36 (House Resolution No. 179).

A Resolution.

Whereas, the American Federation of Teachers, in the 1956 convention, issued an ultimatum to the Atlanta Public School Teachers Association that they must remove from their charter and constitution the restriction of white public school teachers or have their charter revoked, and

Whereas, the Atlanta Public School Teachers Association, at the time of its affiliation with the American Federation of Teachers, and continuously since that time, have had in their chapter and constitution the restriction for membership of "regularly elected white teachers in the public schools of the City of Atlanta", and

Whereas, said ultimatum was contrary to the tradition, institutions and laws of our State, and

Whereas, said ultimatum was contrary to the constitution of the American Federation of Teachers at the the time it was accepted by the Atlanta Public School Teachers Association, and

Whereas, the Atlanta Public School Teachers Association has contributed greatly to the promotion and improvement of the educational system in the Atlanta Public Schools, and

Whereas, the Atlanta Public School Teachers Association voted unanimously on December 10, 1956, to reject said ultimatum and to withdraw from the American Federation of Teachers, and

Whereas, said rejection and withdrawal were an affirmation of our principles and traditions, and

Whereas, said rejection and withdrawal reaffirmed the principle of local determination, and

Whereas, the Atlanta Public School Teachers Association has since that time forcefully and effectively resisted all efforts to establish an integrated public school teachers union.

Therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of Georgia, the Senate concurring:

(1) That the Atlanta Public School Teachers Association be commended for its staunch support of the Constitution and laws of Georgia.

(2) That the American Federation of Teachers is condemned and censured for its attempt to impose conditions upon a local of that union what are contrary to the laws and Constitution of the State of Georgia and contrary to the institutions and traditions of the individual members of that local.

(3) That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Honorable Roger Derthick, President of the Atlanta Public School Teachers Association, and to the American Federation of Teachers.

Approved February 26, 1957.

Source: Ga. Laws 1957, pp. 193-194.

(c) Carl Vinson Institute of Government, The University of Georgia

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