MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2011

By: Senator(s) Horhn, Butler (36th), Butler To: Rules (38th), Simmons, Jackson (32nd), Jackson (11th), Jordan, Powell, Jones, Blount, Burton, Collins, Dearing, Frazier, Hopson

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 604

1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE CIVIC LEADERSHIP AND 2 CONTRIBUTIONS OF CHARLES EVERS TO THE HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI. 3 WHEREAS, as Mississippi celebrates "Black History Month," we 4 acknowledge the contributions of Charles Evers, who has been an 5 important civil rights activist and advocate for human rights 6 throughout the United States; and 7 WHEREAS, actively sought out as a public speaker nationwide, 8 Charles Evers motivates young people, black and white alike to

9 work together, seek better understanding and strive to make our 10 community a better place to live. He hosts the weekly talk show 11 "Let's Talk" on Radio Station WMPR, which features a call-in 12 segment as well as local and national guests; and 13 WHEREAS, Mr. Evers and B.B. King sponsor the 14 Homecoming Festival, a three-day annual event held the first week 15 of June each year in Mississippi. This event features parades, 16 gospel festivities and a show to celebrate the life and work

17 of the late civil rights activist, Medgar Evers; and 18 WHEREAS, older brother of the civil rights martyr, Charles 19 introduced Medgar to the United States . In

20 1963 an assassin shot Medgar Evers. Charles Evers was shocked and 21 deeply upset by the news of his brother's death. He took over 22 Medgar's post as head of the NAACP in Mississippi, over the 23 opposition of more established figures in the NAACP. 24 Nevertheless, Charles did important work leading registration and

25 voting drives in Mississippi, often defying death threats in the 26 process; and

S. C. R. No. 604 *SS01/R1231.1* N1/2 11/SS01/R1231.1 PAGE 1 27 WHEREAS, in 1969 Charles Evers was elected Mayor of Fayette, 28 Mississippi, and was the first African-American Mayor in 29 Mississippi since Reconstruction. By then, Fayette had a majority 30 of blacks, but African-Americans had not enjoyed full voting 31 rights there. Charles Evers later ran for Governor of 32 Mississippi, losing the race but showing the way for

33 African-American candidates of the future; and 34 WHEREAS, Charles Evers was born in Decatur, Mississippi, in 35 1922. His parents were Jim Evers and Jessie Wright. In his early 36 years he lived by his father's creed: have no fear. After 37 graduating from high school, Evers attended Alcorn State 38 University. He soon joined the United States Army during the 39 Korean Conflict, took over his family's funeral parlor business, 40 and moved to Chicago (1957). In Chicago he became a successful

41 nightclub owner, a disc jockey, and a real estate agent, but he 42 was always supportive of his brother, Medgar Evers, and his 43 involvement with NAACP; and 44 WHEREAS, Charles Evers has befriended an astonishing range of 45 people from sharecroppers to presidents. He was an informal 46 advisor to politicians as diverse as Lyndon B. Johnson, Robert 47 Kennedy, and ; he also attracted 48 attention for his support of judicial nominee Charles W.

49 Pickering; and 50 WHEREAS, using humor and a knack for the unexpected to keep 51 his critics and opponents off-balance, Evers has also heaped scorn 52 on leaders who he believes are charlatans or have not "paid the 53 price"; and 54 WHEREAS, there have been two books written on the life of Mr. 55 Charles Evers. The first book, entitled "EVERS" was written in 56 1971 and outlined his life. The second book, "HAVE NO FEAR" was 57 written in 1997 and outlines his role in the civil rights movement

58 and participation in the present struggles of civil rights and 59 humanity; and S. C. R. No. 604 *SS01/R1231.1* 11/SS01/R1231.1 PAGE 2 60 WHEREAS, Charles Evers is a prominent member of the 61 Mississippi Republican party; and 62 WHEREAS, Charles Evers saw the Civil Rights Movement as a 63 Christian movement teaching love, liberation and equality for all 64 under the law, and it is appropriate that we acknowledge the 65 contributions of this nationally known Mississippi leader:

66 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF 67 MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That 68 as a part of "Black History Month," we do hereby recognize the 69 civic leadership and extend our best wishes to "Mayor" Charles 70 Evers and acknowledge his contributions to the history of the 71 State of Mississippi. 72 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to 73 Charles Evers and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.

S. C. R. No. 604 *SS01/R1231.1* 11/SS01/R1231.1 ST: Recognizing the civic leadership and PAGE 3 contributions of Charles Evers to the history of Mississippi.