MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2016 By: Senator(s) Witherspoon, Fillingane, To: Rules Norwood, Horhn, Simmons (12th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Blackmon, Branning, Frazier, Dawkins, Turner, Barnett, Chassaniol, Dearing, Jolly, McDaniel, McMahan, Stone, Watson SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 682 1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE POWERFUL MUSICAL 2 TALENT OF MCCOMB, MISSISSIPPI'S LA'PORSHA RENAE JENNINGS AND 3 CONGRATULATING HER FOR HER OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE ON THE 4 "AMERICAN IDOL" TELEVISION PRODUCTION. 5 WHEREAS, the last two "American Idol" finalists were from 6 Mississippi; and 7 WHEREAS, McComb, Mississippi, native La'Porsha Renae Jennings 8 was the runner-up to Amory, Mississippi, native Trent Harmon who 9 was crowned the final "American Idol" on April 7, 2016, in a 10 match-up of Mississippians; and 11 WHEREAS, at age 16 La'Porsha Renae tried out for "American 12 Idol" during its tenth season. After her college graduation at 13 the age of 22, La'Porsha moved to McComb with her one-month-old 14 daughter Nayalee Keya. Accompanied by her daughter, she returned 15 to audition for the 15th and final season of "American Idol" in 16 Little Rock, Arkansas, and earned her Golden Ticket by performing 17 in front of the judges with Radiohead's "Creep"; and 18 WHEREAS, during American Idol's three-night series finale the 19 audience saw some of the strongest performances of the night from S. C. R. No. 682 *SS01/R1239* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2 16/SS01/R1239 PAGE 1 (tb\rc) 20 La'Porsha Renae and Trent Harmon and there wasn't a single dry eye 21 in the house after their night of soulful, show-stopping routines. 22 What made everything even more special was the 22-year-old 23 songstress's devotion to her adorable infant daughter, to whom she 24 dedicated her final performance of the night. "This is going to 25 be the closest race in Idol history," Judge Keith Urban said in 26 one of the most accurate predictions of the entire season; and 27 WHEREAS, when La'Porsha hit the stage singing Dionne 28 Warwick's 1964 classic "A House is Not a Home," it was clear from 29 the enraptured looks on the judges' faces and Lopez emotionally 30 singing along to the beautiful tune that La'Porsha might have the 31 edge; and 32 WHEREAS, round three saw La'Porsha come out swinging, once 33 again singing an emotional cover of Rihanna's "Diamonds." 34 La'Porsha delivered the kind of masterful, diva performance that 35 would normally make her lock to win in most seasons, if not for 36 her worthy competitor. At the end of the number the emotion of 37 the night overcame her and brought the singer to tears, and that 38 raw show of heartfelt joy carried over to the judges who couldn't 39 contain their love; and 40 WHEREAS, on Saturday March 26, 2016, "American Idol" Top 4 41 Finalist La'Porsha Renae was in her hometown homecoming and 42 Saturday McComb pulled out all the stops for her! There were 43 thousands of people lined up just to see the American Idol Top 4 44 Finalist. One of the more intimate moments was at Jubilee S. C. R. No. 682 *SS01/R1239* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 16/SS01/R1239 PAGE 2 (tb\rc) 45 Performing Arts Center. La'Porsha got emotional watching the 46 young students perform, with a precious moment of the day coming 47 when they gave her a group hug after the performance. But minutes 48 later, she was sitting atop a mustang in a parade all about her. 49 She held her daughter who had been along for the journey. She 50 headed to the stage to see thousands of fans waiting for her. 51 Fans who had been following the show were thrilled to see their 52 favorite live up close and personal; and 53 WHEREAS, hours after the end of the American Idol, La'Porsha 54 Renae announced that she had been signed to Big Machine and Motown 55 Records. American Idol Mentor and Big Machine Label Group CEO, 56 Scott Borchetta told Billboard the reason for the signing is 57 "Because of the overwhelming fan demand for La'Porsha and success 58 of the farewell season of American Idol"; and 59 WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend the 60 professional excellence and positive image that has been projected 61 by a young Mississippi citizen who has brought honor to her 62 family, her community and to the State of Mississippi: 63 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF 64 MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That 65 we do hereby recognize the powerful musical talent of McComb, 66 Mississippi's La'Porsha Renae Jennings and congratulate her for 67 her outstanding performance on the "American Idol" television 68 production, and extend our best wishes to La'Porsha Renae and her 69 family for future success. S. C. R. No. 682 *SS01/R1239* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 16/SS01/R1239 PAGE 3 (tb\rc) 70 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to 71 La'Porsha Renae Jennings and made available to the Capitol Press 72 Corps. S. C. R. No. 682 *SS01/R1239* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 16/SS01/R1239 ST: Congratulate La'Porsha Renae Jennings for PAGE 4 (tb\rc) outstanding performance on "American Idol" television production. .