Senate Resolution 70

A RESOLUTION HONORING CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY AND COMMEMORATING THE LIVES AND SACRIFICES OF MISSISSIPPIANS WHO SERVED DURING THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES OR THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR, AND ENCOURAGING THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE TO REFLECT UPON THE HISTORY AND LESSONS OF THAT ERA.

WHEREAS, the "War Between the States" or the American Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865, stands as one of the most tragic and consequential conflicts in the history of the United States, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives and leaving a profound impact upon the people of Mississippi and the nation as a whole; and

WHEREAS, thousands of Mississippians served during that conflict, and many gave their lives in service to what they believed to be their duty, leaving behind families and communities whose histories remain intertwined with the events of that era; and

WHEREAS, the passage of time has not diminished the significance of the sacrifices endured by those who lived through the war, nor the responsibility of later generations to remember the hardships experienced by their ancestors and to study the lessons of history with honesty and reflection; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi law recognizes the last Monday of April as Confederate Memorial Day, a legal holiday set aside for remembrance of the Mississippians who died during the war, as provided in Section 3-3-7 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended; and

WHEREAS, for more than three decades, governors of the State of Mississippi, representing both major political parties, have issued proclamations recognizing Confederate Heritage Month during the month of April, continuing a tradition that began in 1993 and acknowledging the historical observance of Confederate Memorial Day under Mississippi law; and

WHEREAS, memorial observances have long served as occasions for reflection upon the cost of war, the value of reconciliation and unity, and the importance of preserving historical knowledge for future generations; and

WHEREAS, honoring those who lived through difficult chapters of history does not require the reopening of old divisions, but rather encourages a thoughtful remembrance of the past and a renewed commitment to the principles of peace, unity, and mutual respect among all citizens; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Mississippi benefit from opportunities to reflect upon their shared history, to recognize the sacrifices of those who came before them, and to draw lessons from the past that may guide the state toward a more unified and prosperous future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the Senate hereby honors and commemorates Confederate Memorial Day, and respectfully remembers the Mississippians who served and died during the "War Between the States" or the American Civil War.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate encourages the citizens of Mississippi to use this day of remembrance as an opportunity to reflect upon the profound costs of war, to honor the memories of those who endured its hardships, and to renew their commitment to unity and understanding among all people of this state and nation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That in observance of Confederate Memorial Day, the Senate encourages that the 1894 Mississippi State Flag be respectfully displayed upon the buildings and grounds of the State of Mississippi as a symbol of remembrance for those Mississippians who endured the hardships of the war and as a reaffirmation of the unity and strength of the United States of America.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be furnished to the Governor of the State of Mississippi, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.