Senate Resolution 93

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION HONORING THE MEMORY AND LEGACIES OF LEGENDARY MISSISSIPPI BLUES MUSICIAN RILEY B. "B.B." KING AND MISSISSIPPI CIVIL RIGHTS PIONEER MEDGAR WILEY EVERS ON WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THEIR 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS.

WHEREAS, this year marks the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary blues guitarist, singer and songwriter Riley B. "B.B." King, who was born on September 16, 1925, near Berclair, Mississippi, and left an indelible mark on the world of music; and

WHEREAS, this year also marks the 100th birth anniversary of American Civil Rights Activist Medgar Wiley Evers, who was born in Decatur, Mississippi, on July 2, 1925, and was the NAACP's first field secretary in Mississippi and a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran who served in World War II; and

WHEREAS, it is altogether appropriate that the Mississippi Legislature remember the legacies of these two great Mississippians on their Centennial Birthday Anniversaries; and

WHEREAS, B.B. King introduced a sophisticated style of soloing that influenced countless blues electric guitar players. His fluid string bending, shimmering vibrato and staccato picking set him apart. AllMusic hailed him as "the single most important electric guitarist of the last half of the 20th Century." He earned the nickname "The King of Blues" and was one of the "Three Kings of Blue Guitar" (alongside Albert King and Freddie King, none of whom were related); and

WHEREAS, King's musical journey began in juke joints and local radio stations. He later lived in Memphis, Chicago and Las Vegas, and as his fame grew, he toured the world extensively. His soulful voice and expressive guitar playing resonated with audiences across generations. King performed tirelessly well into the 1990's, averaging more than 200 concerts per year. In 1956 alone, he appeared at an astounding 342 shows; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Evers dedicated his life to the defense of civil rights in Mississippi and the United States. His impactful work included efforts to overturn segregation at the University of Mississippi, expand voting rights and promote economic opportunities for Black communities; and

WHEREAS, tragically, on June 12, 1963, Evers was assassinated at his home in Jackson, Mississippi. Despite the challenges, Evers' legacy lives on. His life and death have inspired numerous works of art, music and film. As a veteran, Evers was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery; and

WHEREAS, today, we honor Medgar Evers on what would have been his 100th birthday. His unwavering commitment to justice and equality continues to inspire generations; and

WHEREAS, during his lifetime, B.B. King recorded more than 50 albums and won 15 Grammy Awards, including the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987. In 1986, he earned a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2003, the Rolling Stones magazine ranked King Number 3, behind only Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman on the list of "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". King died on May 15, 2015, at the age of 89; and

WHEREAS, B.B. King's legacy lives on through his timeless music and Medgar Evers' legacy lives on through the Civil Rights Movement, and today, we celebrate the centenary of their remarkable lives:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby honor the memory and legacies of legendary Mississippi Blues Musician Riley "B.B" King and Mississippi Civil Rights Pioneer Medgar Wiley Evers on what would have been their 100th birthday celebrations.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving descendants of B.B. King and Medgar Evers, forwarded to the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, the Mississippi Museum of History and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.