MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2022 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: The Entire Membership

House Concurrent Resolution 77

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CONDEMN THE INVASION OF UKRAINE AND TO SEVER ALL ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL, CULTURAL AND OTHER CONNECTIONS WITH THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, ITS LEADERS, AND ITS BUSINESSES.

     WHEREAS, on February 24-25, 2022, Russian President, a dictator, Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion targeting numerous cities in the sovereign nation of Ukraine that has been met with widespread international condemnation; and the attacks, which involved aerial and ground operations, have thus far resulted in senseless deaths, including civilian deaths and children, and injured thousands of people, tantamount to terrorism and murder, as well as created a humanitarian crisis and apocalyptic situation; and

     WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi denounces this unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by armed forces of the Russian Federation as a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter which states that all member states shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state; and this Russian military offensive is deplorable; and

     WHEREAS, there are more than one million people of Ukrainian ancestry living in the United States, including some citizens in Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi applauds the United States government's decision to ban all energy imports from Russia and urges the United States government to do whatever possible to support an increase in domestic energy production in the United States and to avoid purchasing energy from other nefarious countries; and

     WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi applauds the United States companies who have ceased business transactions with Russia, and urges all companies and corporations to do so; and

     WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi urges the United States government to send military aircraft, tactical gear, munitions and other military and humanitarian aid to support Ukraine; and

     WHEREAS, the citizens of the State of Mississippi send our prayers and stand firm with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the citizens of Ukraine in their courageous resolve and unrelenting fight to maintain freedom; and

     WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi reaffirms its commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine and violation of Ukraine's sovereignty, which is a violation of international law and of the United Nations Charter.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That it is the policy and will of the Mississippi Legislature that the State of Mississippi sever all economic, financial, cultural and other connections, and refrain from engaging in future economic, financial, cultural and other connections with the Russian Federation, its leaders, and its businesses by prohibiting:  the sale, purchase, distribution, or storage of alcoholic beverages from Russia at the Alcohol Beverage Control at the Department of Revenue; the investment of Public Employees' Retirement System assets in businesses or financial institutions owned by Russia or its citizens; the investment in Russian businesses through the Mississippi Development Authority or other publicly financed economic development projects; the use of Russian vendors for any services or goods for public entities, including state agencies, counties, and municipalities and other political subdivisions; and any other method of investing state assets or otherwise doing business with the Russian Federation, its leaders, and its businesses.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the House to members of Mississippi's Congressional delegation, to the President of the United States and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.