MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Gollott, Harden, Albritton, Butler, Carmichael, Clarke, Davis, Dawkins, Dearing, Fillingane, Frazier, Hewes, Horhn, Hyde-Smith, Kirby, Simmons, Tollison, White, Wilemon, Williamson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MORGAN FREEMAN FOR HIS PRIDE IN MISSISSIPPI, AS EXPRESSED IN THE NEW BOOK, "PROUD TO CALL MISSISSIPPI HOME" AND CHARLES MCKELLAR AS EXECUTIVE EDITOR.
WHEREAS, Morgan Freeman has written the Title Essay for the new book "Proud to Call Mississippi Home" that chronicles the lives of such famous Mississippians as Walter Anderson, Faith Hill, William Faulkner, Elvis Presley and Oprah Winfrey, and also features a host of other "unsung heroes" whose efforts shed such a positive light on our state; and
WHEREAS, Morgan Freeman's Title Essay in this book expresses his honest and positive pride for his home state that can have a significant impact in changing the negative images of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Morgan Freeman provided the inspiration that moved Executive Editor Charles McKellar to create the concept for this book when he saw the Academy Award-winning actor in a CNN television interview talking favorably about his home in Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Morgan Freeman said during that interview: "People asked me when I moved back home, they said, 'Oh my God, Mississippi, well, you could live any place in the world you want. Why are you moving to Mississippi?'" And I said, "Precisely because I can live any place in the world I want"; and
WHEREAS, Charles McKellar took his inspiration and created the concept for and registered the Trademark for the new book "Proud to Call Mississippi Home" and served as Executive Editor for the 464-page full-color book produced by Image Publishing, Inc., that is a best seller; and
WHEREAS, Morgan Freeman has given generously of his time and talents to serve unofficially as Goodwill Ambassador for Mississippi and has not missed any opportunities to tell the positive story of our state in this new book and in the national media:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life and public service of Morgan Freeman to the People of Mississippi and name him as the Official Goodwill Ambassador for the State of Mississippi and invite him and his family to the State Capitol to be honored by the Governor and both houses of the Mississippi Legislature and by all people who are Proud to Call Mississippi Home.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Morgan Freeman and his family, to Charles McKellar and his family, and be made available to the news outlets throughout the nation and the Capitol Press Corps.