MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Dearing, Ross, Simmons, Kirby, Jordan, Jackson (11th), Browning, Harden, Mettetal, Frazier, Pickering, Carmichael, Moffatt, King, Flowers, Lee (35th), White, Morgan, Wilemon, Lee (47th), Butler, Walls, Turner, Davis, Dawkins, Brown, Albritton, Gollott, Walley, Tollison, Bryan, Thomas, Hewes, Burton, Chaney, Clarke, Gordon, Harvey, Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Little, Posey, Williamson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MR. MORGAN FREEMAN FOR RECEIVING THE ACADEMY AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE.
WHEREAS, Mr. Morgan Freeman received the Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the 77th Annual Academy Awards held on Sunday, February 27, 2005, in Hollywood, California; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman was nominated for his role in "Million Dollar Baby," which won best picture; in this movie Morgan plays Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris, an ex-boxer who sees the spark of determination in a young waitress' desire to become a fighter; and
WHEREAS, this is the fourth Academy Award nomination for Morgan Freeman. He was previously nominated for: The Shawshank Redemption (1994) - Nominee, Actor in a Leading Role; Driving Miss Daisy (1989) - Nominee, Actor in a Leading Role; and Street Smart (1987) - Nominee, Actor in a Supporting Role; and
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 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 in addition to his nominated roles, which include movies such as "Brubaker," "Eyewitness," "Harry & Sons," "Teachers," "Clean & Sober," "Johnny Handsome," "Glory," and "Chain Reaction"; 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 began shooting his next thriller, "High Crimes"; 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, Mr. Freeman has partnered with Bill Luckett in the restaurant business as the two opened the upscale restaurant called Madidi in the old 8,000 square foot Landry's Building located in downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this stellar accomplishment by an actor who brings great honor and serves as an Ambassador for 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 Mr. Morgan Freeman for receiving the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the 77th Annual Academy Awards presentation, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature for his future successes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mr. Freeman and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.