Bill Text: MS SC604 | 2011 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing the civic leadership and contributions of Charles Evers to the history of Mississippi.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 12-3)
Status: (Passed) 2011-02-23 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC604 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2011-SC604-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Simmons, Jackson (32nd), Jackson (11th), Jordan, Powell, Jones, Blount, Burton, Collins, Dearing, Frazier, Hopson
Senate Concurrent Resolution 604
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE CIVIC LEADERSHIP AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF CHARLES EVERS TO THE HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, as Mississippi celebrates "Black History Month," we acknowledge the contributions of Charles Evers, who has been an important civil rights activist and advocate for human rights throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, actively sought out as a public speaker nationwide, Charles Evers motivates young people, black and white alike to work together, seek better understanding and strive to make our community a better place to live. He hosts the weekly talk show "Let's Talk" on Radio Station WMPR, which features a call-in segment as well as local and national guests; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Evers and B.B. King sponsor the Medgar Evers Homecoming Festival, a three-day annual event held the first week of June each year in Mississippi. This event features parades, gospel festivities and a blues show to celebrate the life and work of the late civil rights activist, Medgar Evers; and
WHEREAS, older brother of the civil rights martyr, Charles introduced Medgar to the United States Civil Rights Movement. In 1963 an assassin shot Medgar Evers. Charles Evers was shocked and deeply upset by the news of his brother's death. He took over Medgar's post as head of the NAACP in Mississippi, over the opposition of more established figures in the NAACP. Nevertheless, Charles did important work leading registration and voting drives in Mississippi, often defying death threats in the process; and
WHEREAS, in 1969 Charles Evers was elected Mayor of Fayette, Mississippi, and was the first African-American Mayor in Mississippi since Reconstruction. By then, Fayette had a majority of blacks, but African-Americans had not enjoyed full voting rights there. Charles Evers later ran for Governor of Mississippi, losing the race but showing the way for African-American candidates of the future; and
WHEREAS, Charles Evers was born in Decatur, Mississippi, in 1922. His parents were Jim Evers and Jessie Wright. In his early years he lived by his father's creed: have no fear. After graduating from high school, Evers attended Alcorn State University. He soon joined the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, took over his family's funeral parlor business, and moved to Chicago (1957). In Chicago he became a successful nightclub owner, a disc jockey, and a real estate agent, but he was always supportive of his brother, Medgar Evers, and his involvement with NAACP; and
WHEREAS, Charles Evers has befriended an astonishing range of people from sharecroppers to presidents. He was an informal advisor to politicians as diverse as Lyndon B. Johnson, Robert Kennedy, George Wallace and Ronald Reagan; he also attracted attention for his support of judicial nominee Charles W. Pickering; and
WHEREAS, using humor and a knack for the unexpected to keep his critics and opponents off-balance, Evers has also heaped scorn on leaders who he believes are charlatans or have not "paid the price"; and
WHEREAS, there have been two books written on the life of Mr. Charles Evers. The first book, entitled "EVERS" was written in 1971 and outlined his life. The second book, "HAVE NO FEAR" was written in 1997 and outlines his role in the civil rights movement and participation in the present struggles of civil rights and humanity; and
WHEREAS, Charles Evers is a prominent member of the Mississippi Republican party; and
WHEREAS, Charles Evers saw the Civil Rights Movement as a Christian movement teaching love, liberation and equality for all under the law, and it is appropriate that we acknowledge the contributions of this nationally known Mississippi leader:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That as a part of "Black History Month," we do hereby recognize the civic leadership and extend our best wishes to "Mayor" Charles Evers and acknowledge his contributions to the history of the State of Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Charles Evers and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
