Session 2000
Effective: March 7, 2000
� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � SENATE RESOLUTION No. 1817 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � A Resolution in memory of Robert Caldwell.
� � � WHEREAS,� Robert Caldwell, a giant in the Salina community, died Octo-
ber 20, 1999, at age 86; and

� � � WHEREAS,� Robert Caldwell was a member of the Salina City Commission
for eight years and served three terms as Salina's only black mayor. He served
as a state representative for the 1977-78 term, was a member of the Kansas
Board of Regents, was active for many years in the Salina branch of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and was a mem-
ber of several other local and state civic organizations. He was a teacher in
Salina public schools for 39 years and a scoutmaster for 48 years; and

� � � WHEREAS,� Robert Caldwell spent most of his teaching years as a graphic
arts instructor at Salina Central High School although he taught for three years
at Dunbar Elementary School before being drafted during World War II. In
1976 he was voted the Salina and state teacher of the year, and in 1979 he was
elected to the Kansas Teachers Hall of Fame, Dodge City; and

� � � WHEREAS,� Robert Caldwell has been described as a warrior in the civil
rights movement. He worked to help the African-American community state-
wide, and when prospective members would lament they couldn't afford to join
the NAACP, he would lend them money to ensure they would join; and

� � � WHEREAS,� Robert Caldwell was born June 21, 1913, the sixth of nine
children of William and Elizabeth Caldwell. He attended a segregated grade
school and in high school sports was allowed only to participate in track. In
college he lettered all four years in track with champion events in the high
hurdles and broad jump. He served in World War II and was severely injured
while preparing for the D-day invasion in Europe. After the war he returned
to Salina and resumed his teaching career. He married his college sweetheart,
Bessie Lee Ellis, and they had three children, Robert, A-Toy and Teree. His
wife and son preceded him in death: Now, therefore,

� � � Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas:�That we extend our
deepest sympathy to the family of Robert Caldwell; and

� � � Be it further resolved:�That the Secretary of the Senate be directed to
provide five enrolled copies of this resolution to Senator Vidricksen for pres-
entation to Mr. Caldwell's daughter, Teree Caldwell Johnson; his daughter, A-
Toy Caldwell Colbert; his brother, Roscoe C. Caldwell; his sister, Reba Litman;
and his sister, Pearl Rice.

Senate Resolution No. 1817 was sponsored by Senators Vidricksen, Gooch and Jones.