Senate Concurrent Resolution 609

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MR. JOHNNY "BOOTSY" MORROW FOR HIS DEDICATION TO PRESERVING MISSISSIPPI'S UNIQUE AND DIVERSE HISTORY IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HIS MUSEUM, "THE ROOM," IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Johnny "Bootsy" Morrow established "The Room," a museum in Jackson, Mississippi, that has preserved some of Mississippi's most interesting and fascinating history; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Morrow purchased the 52,000-square-foot building that once housed Independent Linen Service Company to have a place for his many cars, and once he realized how much space was available in the building, he began attending garage sales and estate sales to collect unique and historical odds and ends to fill the space; and

WHEREAS, the museum pays homage to many different parts of Mississippi's diverse history, including the former employees of the Independent Linen Service Company, a linen cleaning and pressing service that was established in 1931 where hundreds of African-American workers earned less than $1.00 an hour as they cleaned and pressed uniforms for the Jackson Police Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol, churches and numerous other organizations; and

WHEREAS, in honoring these employees, Mr. Morrow has recognized the impact that they have had on future generations, including their children and grandchildren who were able to tremendously succeed, becoming doctors, lawyers and even professional sports stars, such as NBA star Monta Ellis, whose grandmother was among the many employees at the Independent Linen Service Company; and

WHEREAS, featuring dozens of vintage automobiles, including a car that his uncle built and other automobiles that have appeared in Hollywood films such as "The Help" and the James Brown biopic "Get on Up," the museum also boasts a 1958 white Cadillac that Mr. Morrow determined once belonged to former Texas Governor, John Connally, and that was the sixth vehicle in the motorcade on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, when President Kennedy was assassinated; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Morrow has accumulated some fascinating odds and ends through his searching at garage sales and estate sales, including a dancing James Brown doll, skeletons that pluck banjos, a baseball bat signed by the legendary Jackie Robinson and original concert posters of Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf and Etta James. Mr. Morrow has also created sections of the museum to honor preachers, graduates of his alma mater, Lanier High School, African-American musicians of the 1940s and 1950s, sharecroppers and the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Morrow has also collected some outstanding film from the Civil Rights Movement such as video footage of the 1966 Meredith March that included Civil Rights Leaders Martin Luther King, Jr., James Meredith and Stokely Carmichael, and 1960s-era footage of law enforcement officers training for civil rights protests; and

WHEREAS, not only does the museum have many unique items from Mississippi history, it also contains a room having a 30-by-20-foot video screen, where groups are able to hold parties and watch sporting events; and

WHEREAS, many famous celebrities such as Muhammad Ali, Dan Aykroyd, Snoop Dogg and Morgan Freeman have frequented "The Room," and all one has to do to visit his museum is to call Mr. Morrow, who is willing to not only exhibit these gems but also share the stories behind them; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Morrow has noted that many people have told him that his museum is the jewel of Mississippi, but he believes that the unique and captivating items that he has collected represent everyone's history and should be shared with all Mississippians; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this citizen, who has brought honor to the State of Mississippi through his dedication to preserving Mississippi's vastly unique history:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Mr. Johnny "Bootsy" Morrow on the establishment of his outstanding museum, "The Room," in Jackson, Mississippi, that reflects and preserves the unique and diverse history of Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mr. Johnny "Bootsy" Morrow and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.