Bill Text: MS SC589 | 2014 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Summer of 1964 Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi and recognize volunteers.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-0)
Status: (Passed) 2014-03-21 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC589 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2014-SC589-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2014 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Blount, Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, Jordan, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Turner
Senate Concurrent Resolution 589
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEMORATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FREEDOM SUMMER OF 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN MISSISSIPPI, TO RECOGNIZE THE SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF THESE VOLUNTEERS AND TO WELCOME THE "MISSISSIPPI FREEDOM SUMMER 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE" TO OUR STATE.
WHEREAS, "Freedom Summer" was a campaign in Mississippi to register African-American voters during the summer of 1964. In the summer of 1964, more than 1,000 summer volunteers from across America convened in Mississippi to put an end to the system of rigid segregation. The Civil Rights workers and the summer volunteers successfully challenged the denial by the State of Mississippi to keep blacks from voting, getting a decent education, and holding elected offices; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the Freedom Summer of 1964, some of the barriers to voting have been eliminated and Mississippi has close to 1,000 black state and local elected officials. In fact, Mississippi has more black elected officials than any other state in the union. While the Freedom Summer of 1964 made profound changes in the State of Mississippi and the country, much remains to be accomplished; and
WHEREAS, this voting rights initiative was led by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), with the support of the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO), which included the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC); and
WHEREAS, thousands of students and activists participated in two-week orientation sessions in preparation for the voter registration drive in Mississippi. Three Civil Rights volunteers lost their lives in their attempts to secure voting rights for blacks. The national uproar in response to these brave men's deaths helped raise the political capital necessary to bring about passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Freedom Summer 50th Anniversary Conference will convene in Jackson, Mississippi, on June 25-29, 2014, both to recognize the accomplishments and those who worked for changes to the politically segregated Mississippi and to discuss how to continue the effort toward Mississippi reaching its full potential for all of its citizens; and
WHEREAS, "While this 50th Anniversary will highlight the legacy of the Freedom Summer accomplishments, it will also serve as the platform to continue to make life better for Jacksonians, Mississippians and all Americans," said Jackson Mayor Chowke Lumumba. "This is a remarkable occasion. As we remember Nelson Mandela, this is a reminder of the sacrifices of our own homegrown freedom fighters. This will be a world renowned showcasing of the contribution to move the world forward. This is a legacy, a living treasure, not a buried one"; and
WHEREAS, we note the historical context and significance of this event and these Mississippi Civil Rights Pioneers who ignited the consciousness of America to its responsibilities:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Summer of 1964 Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi, recognize the social contributions of these volunteers who came to our state and extend the welcome of the Legislature to the "Mississippi Freedom Summer 50th Anniversary Conference" to be held in Jackson on June 25-29, 2014, to remember the contributions of these Pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement in our country.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Chairman of the Mississippi Freedom Summer 50th Anniversary Conference, forwarded to the Mayor of the City of Jackson and the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
