General Assembly honors Harold Doc Martin as pioneering figure in Black History Month celebration
March 22, 2024 | HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont
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The Vermont House of Representatives convened on March 22, 2024, at 9:30 AM to discuss several agenda items, prominently featuring House Concurrent Resolution 169. This resolution honors Harold "Doc" Martin, a distinguished member of the Norwich University Athletic Hall of Fame, in celebration of Black History Month.
The resolution highlights Martin's groundbreaking achievements as Norwich University's first Black cadet and athlete. His contributions spanned various sports, including ice hockey, where he is recognized as potentially the first Black collegiate player in the nation. Martin's leadership extended beyond athletics; he served as a captain of the football team and was actively involved in student governance and publications.
The resolution details Martin's impressive academic and military career, noting his rise to the rank of First Sergeant in the Corps of Cadets and his subsequent roles in higher education. He earned a master's degree from New York University and held faculty positions at Virginia Union University and Shaw University. Martin also served as the director of athletics at Virginia State University and was instrumental in coaching multiple teams to championships.
In 1942, Martin joined the Army Air Force and became the director of the ground school at Tuskegee Airfield, where he played a crucial role in training the famed Tuskegee Airmen. Tragically, he lost his life in a plane crash in 1945 and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
During the session, a member from Milton praised Martin as a "true renaissance man," emphasizing his numerous accomplishments and pioneering spirit. The member noted that Martin's legacy continues to inspire, particularly in the context of the Tuskegee Airmen's historic contributions to the military.
The resolution passed unanimously, with plans for the Secretary of State to send a copy to Norwich University. The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of the Norwich community's representatives present, who participated in commemorating Martin's legacy. This recognition not only honors Martin's individual achievements but also serves as a reminder of the significant contributions of Black individuals in American history.
The resolution highlights Martin's groundbreaking achievements as Norwich University's first Black cadet and athlete. His contributions spanned various sports, including ice hockey, where he is recognized as potentially the first Black collegiate player in the nation. Martin's leadership extended beyond athletics; he served as a captain of the football team and was actively involved in student governance and publications.
The resolution details Martin's impressive academic and military career, noting his rise to the rank of First Sergeant in the Corps of Cadets and his subsequent roles in higher education. He earned a master's degree from New York University and held faculty positions at Virginia Union University and Shaw University. Martin also served as the director of athletics at Virginia State University and was instrumental in coaching multiple teams to championships.
In 1942, Martin joined the Army Air Force and became the director of the ground school at Tuskegee Airfield, where he played a crucial role in training the famed Tuskegee Airmen. Tragically, he lost his life in a plane crash in 1945 and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
During the session, a member from Milton praised Martin as a "true renaissance man," emphasizing his numerous accomplishments and pioneering spirit. The member noted that Martin's legacy continues to inspire, particularly in the context of the Tuskegee Airmen's historic contributions to the military.
The resolution passed unanimously, with plans for the Secretary of State to send a copy to Norwich University. The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of the Norwich community's representatives present, who participated in commemorating Martin's legacy. This recognition not only honors Martin's individual achievements but also serves as a reminder of the significant contributions of Black individuals in American history.
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