MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Blackmon, Horhn

Senate Concurrent Resolution 557

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HONORING THE CANTON SPIRITUALS OF CANTON, MISSISSIPPI, FOR RECEIVING TWO STELLAR AWARDS AT THE 1997 STELLAR GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS AND AS THE ONLY GOSPEL QUARTET IN AMERICA AND THE ONLY MISSISSIPPI GOSPEL ARTIST TO ACHIEVE SUCH HONORS.

WHEREAS, The Canton Spirituals was organized and founded in the early 1940's by Mr. Warren G. Ward, Rev. I.S. Watkins and the late Mr. Harvey Watkins, Sr., of Canton, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, this group has contributed much to the gospel music industry and has acquired national as well as international recognition; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi's Canton Spirituals have traveled all over the world and have traveled to many states as well as other countries, including New York, Chicago, Detroit, California, Washington, D.C.; Amsterdam, Switzerland, Finland, Belgium, Italy and Sicily; and

WHEREAS, several appearances have been made on the syndicated Bobby Jones Gospel Show, which airs Sundays on BET and the ever popular "Showtime at the Apollo" theater; and

WHEREAS, they were introduced to local viewers on the prevalent, "Unity In Gospel Show" hosted by Mr. Larry Armstrong; and

WHEREAS, The Canton Spirituals recorded several albums before doing three live recordings, with such hits as: "I'm In Your Care," "Mississippi Poor Boy," "Tighten Up The Rope," featuring the late Mr. Harvey Watkins, Sr., and their most recent release consists of hits such as "Hallelujah Square," "Clean Up," "Heaven Is Looking Down On Me" and "God Loves You"; and

WHEREAS, The Canton Spirituals were nominated for a Grammy Award in 1993 for the album "Live In Memphis I;" they were recently honored at the 1997 Stellar Gospel Music Awards as the only gospel quartet in America, and the only Mississippi gospel artist to receive two Stellar Awards; and

WHEREAS, The Canton Spirituals consist of eight members, they are: Victor Allen, Merlin Lucious, Michael Richardson, Wallace Strickland, Theo Thompson, Norman Williams, Cornelius DeWayne Watkins and Harvey Watkins, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize a group of citizens who have presented to the world a positive image for the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and honor The Canton Spirituals of Canton, Mississippi, for receiving two Stellar Awards at the 1997 Stellar Gospel Music Awards and as the only gospel quartet in America and the only Mississippi Gospel Artist to achieve such honors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to The Canton Spirituals and that copies be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.