MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Jordan, Huggins, Furniss, Dearing, Smith, Bryan, Burton, Tollison, Chamberlin, Turner, Little, Farris, Williamson, Hewes, Hamilton, Dawkins, Blackmon, Jackson, Browning, Chaney, Frazier, Harden, Scoper

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING MR. MORGAN FREEMAN FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CAREER AS AN ACTOR.

WHEREAS, Mr. Morgan Freeman, a native of Mississippi, is one of the most successful and highly respected actors in the entertainment industry; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman, born in Memphis, Tennessee, on June 1, 1937, graduated from high school in Greenwood, Mississippi, in May of 1955; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from high school, Mr. Freeman moved to California to study dance and theatre arts at Los Angeles City College; and

WHEREAS, in 1967, Mr. Freeman made his Broadway debut with Pearl Bailey in "Hello Dolly!"; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman became nationally known when he created the popular character, "Easy Reader" on the highly praised children's show, "The Electric Company"; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, Mr. Freeman has received many awards for many of his performances including a Tony Award, the Clarence Derwent Award, Drama Desk Award, Obie Award, the Dramalogue Award and many others; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman has not only been successful in television and the theatre, but has a long list of film credits which include movies such as "Brubaker," "Eyewitness," "Harry & Sons," "Teachers," "Clean & Sober," "Johnny Handsome," "Glory," and "Chain Reaction"; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman won the Los Angeles, New York and National Society of Film Critics Awards for best supporting actor and was nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for his performance in "Street Smart"; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman also starred in the popular movie, "Driving Miss Daisy," for which he won his second Academy Award nomination, won the Golden Globe Award and The Silver Bear for best actor at the Berlin Film Festival; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman was seen in the David Brown production and thriller, "Kiss the Girls"; starred in the Steven Speilberg production, "Amistad," as abolitionist Theodore Jackson; took the lead in Paramount's adventure film "Hard Rain," opposite Christian Slater; played the President of the United States in the box office hit, "Deep Impact"; and starred in "Nurse Betty" along with Renee Zellweger and Chris Rock; and

WHEREAS, in November 2000, Mr. Freeman began shooting his next thriller, "High Crimes" with Ashley Judd in San Francisco, California; and

WHEREAS, in 1993, Mr. Freeman made his film directorial debut with "Bopha!," starring Danny Glover and Alfre Woodard, and soon after formed Revelations Entertainment, a production company developing entertainment product in all existing and emerging media; and

WHEREAS, most recently, Mr. Freeman has partnered with Bill Luckett in the restaurant business as the two opened the upscale restaurant called Madidi in the old 8000 square foot Landry's building located in downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippians such as Mr. Freeman, whose long and distinguished career brings great pride to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mr. Morgan Freeman upon his successful career as an actor and express our heartiest wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.

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