Senate Concurrent Resolution 570

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING WILLIAM EGGLESTON, THE "FATHER OF COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY", UPON HIS RECEIPT OF THE 2003 GOVERNOR'S EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS AWARD IN THE CATEGORY OF ARTIST'S ACHIEVEMENT IN PHOTOGRAPHY.

WHEREAS, William Eggleston was raised in Sumner, Mississippi, and is the recipient of the 2003 Governor's Excellence in the Arts Award in the category of Artist's Achievement in Photography; and

WHEREAS, though born in Memphis, Tennessee, William Eggleston grew up on a cotton plantation in Sumner, Mississippi, and took his first pictures when he was around 10 years old. That first picture led to a career that has spanned decades and reached worldwide acclaim; and

WHEREAS, Eggleston known since the 1990's as the "Father of Color Photography", is widely regarded as the leading and most influential color photographer of the 20th Century; and

WHEREAS, Eggleston studied at Vanderbilt University, Delta State College and the University of Mississippi. He later worked as a freelance photographer in the Mississippi-Tennessee region and in Washington, D.C. In 1965, Eggleston began to experiment with color. In 1967 he moved to New York City, where he showed his work to John Szarkowski, then curator of photography at the Museum of Modern Art. The meeting led to a landmark exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art 1976 and the production of the accompanying catalogue William Eggleston's Guide. The Museum of Modern Art exhibit marked the beginning of the recognition of color photography as an art form.

WHEREAS, Eggleston has been a lecturer in Visual and Environmental Studies at Harvard University and a researcher in color video at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has received grants from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Arts Survey. He has been commissioned to photograph for Rolling Stone, AT&T and the Coca-Coca Company. In 1998, he was the recipient of the coveted Hasselblad Foundation's International Award in Photography which has recognized the pioneering and profound achievements of photographers such as Lennart Nilsson and Ansel Adams since 1980. Since 1974, Eggleston has exhibited his extensive work in numerous museums and galleries around the world, and has since returned to Memphis to live; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the unique talent of this Mississippian who has brought honor to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate William Eggleston, the "Father of Color Photography", upon his receipt of the 2003 Governor's Excellence in the Arts Award in the category of Artist's Achievement in Photography, and wish him and his family success in their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to William Eggleston at induction ceremonies on February 28, 2003, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.