House Resolution 93

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING AND HONORING THE IMPECCABLE ARTISTRY, CRAFTSMANSHIP, TALENT AND IMPACTFUL CONTRIBUTIONS OF IDA B. WELLS UPON HER INDUCTION INTO THE 2022 CLASS OF THE MISSISSIPPI ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE HALL OF FAME.

WHEREAS, given the rich history of successes of the great Magnolia State's native sons and daughters, who have become shining ambassadors of the state's wealth of artistic, musical, literary and silver-screen talents, very little mystery remains to the validity that Mississippi is a place where legends are born and dreams become reality; and

WHEREAS, in 2001, the Mississippi Legislature, by virtue of Senate Bill No. 2666, provided for the creation of an educational, entertaining and interactive facility in Meridian, which materialized in the establishment of the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX), which tells the stories of all of Mississippi's arts and entertainment icons; and

WHEREAS, in homage to the enduring impact of the state's creative legacy, The MAX initiated the Mississippi Hall of Fame in January 2017, with an inaugural class of 18 inductees, and in keeping with the tradition of honoring the influential men and women who trace their roots to Mississippi and represent the best of Mississippi's talents, The MAX has deemed it fitting to induct Ida B. Wells into the 2022 Class of the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Ida B. Wells is a prominent figure from Mississippi's late 19th century and early 20th century legacies in the writing field, specifically, advocacy journalism, and as a skilled writer, she used her skills to shed light on the conditions of African Americans throughout the South; and

WHEREAS, a native of Holly Springs, Mississippi, Ida B. Wells became a courageous figure as an African-American female journalist who advocated against the cruel and unjust treatment of African Americans and specifically shined a light on the horrific practice of lynching; and

WHEREAS, after the lynching of one of her friends, Ida B. Wells turned her attention to white mob violence because she had become skeptical about the reasons African-American men were lynched and set out to investigate several cases, and she published her findings in a pamphlet and wrote several columns in local newspapers, but her expose´ about an 1892 lynching enraged locals, who burned her press and drove her from Memphis, and after a few months, the threats became so bad she was forced to move to Chicago, Illinois; and

WHEREAS, despite the threats and risks she faced, Ida B. Wells continued to fight against lynching and advocate for women's suffrage and the fair treatment of African Americans, and she played a lead role in the establishment of the NAACP and women's rights organizations, and for her work, she received a Pulitzer Special Citation in 2020; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to honor the diverse mix of creative legends from across the State of Mississippi whose contributions to the betterment of society bestow great pride and esteem upon all Mississippians:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby acknowledge and honor the impeccable artistry, craftsmanship, talent and impactful contributions of Ida B. Wells upon her induction into the 2022 Class of Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience Hall of Fame on December 15, 2022.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to The MAX and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.