*HC1007*
Introduced Version
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION No. ____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION honoring the life of
Mr. Byron David Ratcliffe Sr.
Pryor
_______________________, read first time and referred to Committee on
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 Introduced
First Regular Session of the 122nd General Assembly (2021)
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION No. ____
1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION honoring the life of Mr.
2 Byron David Ratcliffe Sr.
3 Whereas, Mr. Byron David Ratcliffe Sr. passed away on
4 September 8, 2019, at the age of 62;
5 Whereas, Mr. Ratcliffe was born to Harrison Payne and
6 Kathryn Golden in Indianapolis, Indiana, on September 14,
7 1957;
8 Whereas, Mr. Ratcliffe attended Indiana University in
9 Bloomington, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in
10 Criminal Justice and Correction in 1980, and he continued to
11 pursue personal and professional development until his
12 passing;
13 Whereas, Mr. Ratcliffe dedicated his life to civic engagement,
14 human development, and community service as a retired
15 educator, soldier, and advocate;
16 Whereas, Mr. Ratcliffe was a second generation soldier and
17 served in the 502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne Division;
18 Whereas, Mr. Ratcliffe's career in the United States Army
19 focused on training, recruitment, and retention, where he
20 earned notable positions, including: recruiting command
21 company first sergeant; senior guidance counselor at the
22 Military Entrance and Processing Station (MEPS); service
23 school instructor; and inspector general;
24 Whereas, Mr. Ratcliffe served on many boards throughout his
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1 life, including: the NAACP; Kappa Alpha Psi; the American
2 Legion; the Knights of St. Peter Claver; and the Masonic order;
3 Whereas, Mr. Ratcliffe was a supporter of and champion for
4 change on many criminal justice issues while he served as state
5 criminal justice chair for the NAACP;
6 Whereas, Mr. Ratcliffe advocated an end to racial profiling
7 and the death penalty;
8 Whereas, Mr. Ratcliffe supported efforts to fix disparity in
9 sentencing for people of color and he advocated for legislation
10 and policies providing restorative justice for returning citizens
11 from the penal system; and
12 Whereas, Mr. Ratcliffe served his country with honor and
13 devoted his life to improve the lives of people in his community:
14 Therefore,
15 Be it resolved by the House of Representatives
16 of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana,
17 the Senate concurring:
18 SECTION 1. That the Indiana House of Representatives
19 remembers Mr. Byron David Ratcliffe Sr. for his contributions
20 to his community, the state of Indiana, and the United States of
21 America as a lifelong Hoosier, soldier, educator, and advocate.
22 SECTION 2. That the Principal Clerk of the House of
23 Representatives shall transmit copies of this resolution to the
24 office of State Representative Cherrish Pryor for distribution.
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