MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Middleton, Scott (80th), Bailey, Banks, Blackmon, Bozeman, Broomfield, Clark, Clarke, Coleman (29th), Coleman (65th), Dickson, Ellis, Evans, Flaggs, Fredericks, Gibbs, Green (96th), Henderson (26th), Henderson (9th), Huddleston, Morris, Myers, Perkins, Robinson (63rd), Smith (27th), Straughter, Thomas, Thornton, Walker, Wallace, Watson, West, Young, Fleming

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MR. JAMES CHARLES EVERS FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE.

WHEREAS, Mr. James Charles Evers, born September 11, 1922, was the first born of four children of Jim and Jessie Evers; and

WHEREAS, after graduation from the public schools in Decatur, Mississippi, Mr. Evers volunteered for a term of duty in the United States Army in 1940; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Evers, a resident of Fayette, Mississippi, returned to Mississippi in the late 1940's and enrolled in Alcorn State University, formerly known as Alcorn A&M College, where he received his bachelor of science degree in 1951; and

WHEREAS, to further his education, Mr. Evers earned a Doctorate of Civil Law from Luther College in 1969 and an honorary doctorate from Tougaloo College in 1970; and

WHEREAS, after teaching briefly in the public schools of Humphrey County, Mr. Evers resigned and went into business for himself; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Evers, a remarkable and successful businessman, owned businesses including washhouses, hotels, lounges and promotion companies; and

WHEREAS, seeking to bring positive changes to Mississippi, Mr. Evers became a member of the NAACP of which he has a life membership; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Evers has served in various leadership roles in several professional organizations and clubs such as Field Secretary of the Mississippi NAACP and founding member of the AJFC Community Action Agency; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Evers founded and chaired several organizations in honor of Medgar Evers including the Medgar Evers Fund, the Medgar Evers Homecoming, the Medgar Evers Home Health Agency and the Medgar Evers Comprehensive Health Center; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Evers has received many letters of appreciation from several presidents such as John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Lyndon Johnson, Ronald Reagan and George Bush; and

WHEREAS, having traveled and worked throughout the United States, Mr. Evers has received Keys to Cities including Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Denmark, South Carolina; Washington, D.C; Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo, New York; New Orleans, Louisiana; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Springfield, Illinois and Raleigh, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, during his lifetime, Mr. Evers has been honored with over 50 awards such as Man of the Year Award, Medgar Evers Human Rights Award, American Friendship Club Award, Outstanding Citizen of the Year, Vernon Dahmer Award, Ambassador's Club Award, Profiles in Courage Award, Black Man of Progress Award, John F. Kennedy Award, Vehicle to Freedom Award, Friend of Man Award, Black History Program Award and many others; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature finds it most appropriate to recognize such an outstanding man as Mr. James Charles Evers, a man whose long and distinguished career of service has set an example for many to follow:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Mr. James Charles Evers for his many years of dedicated service and extend our heartiest wishes in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. James Charles Evers and members of the Capitol Press Corps.