MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Coleman (65th), Johnson, Bailey, Broomfield, Buck (5th), Burnett, Calhoun, Clark, Cockerham, Coleman (29th), Ellis, Espy, Flaggs, Fredericks, Gardner, Harrison, Hines, Holloway, Jones (82nd), Middleton, Robinson, Thomas, Watson, Wooten
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE CIVIC LEADERSHIP AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF CHARLES EVERS TO THE HISTORY OF MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, as Mississippi celebrates "Black History Month," we acknowledge the contributions of Charles Evers, who has been an important civil rights activist and advocate for human rights throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, Charles Evers was born in Decatur, Mississippi, in 1922, to Jim Evers and Jessie Wright and in his early years, he lived by his father's creed: "Have no fear."; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from high school, Evers attended Alcorn State University, but soon joined the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, and afterwards took over his family's funeral parlor business, and moved to Chicago (1957); and
WHEREAS, in Chicago, he became a successful nightclub owner, a disc jockey, and a real estate agent, but he was always supportive of his brother, Medgar Evers, and his involvement with the NAACP; and
WHEREAS, he is the older brother of the slain civil rights martyr, Medgar Evers, Charles introduced Medgar to the Civil Rights Movement, and Charles Evers was shocked and deeply upset by the news of his brother's death; and
WHEREAS, after his brother's death, and over the opposition of more established figures in the NAACP, Charles took over Medgar's post as head of the NAACP in Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, nevertheless, Charles did important work leading registration and voting drives in Mississippi, often defying death threats in the process; and
WHEREAS, in 1969, Charles Evers was elected Mayor of Fayette, Mississippi, and was the first African-American Mayor in Mississippi since Reconstruction because at that time, Fayette had a majority black population, but African Americans had not enjoyed full voting rights there; and
WHEREAS, he later ran for Governor of Mississippi, losing the race but clearing a path for African-American candidates of the future; and
WHEREAS, Charles Evers is a prominent member of the Mississippi Republican party and has befriended an astonishing range of people from sharecroppers to presidents, served as an informal advisor to politicians as diverse as Lyndon B. Johnson, Robert Kennedy, George Wallace and Ronald Reagan, and also attracted attention for his support of judicial nominee, Charles W. Pickering; and
WHEREAS, using humor and a knack for the unexpected to keep his critics and opponents off-balance, Evers has also heaped scorn on leaders who he believes are charlatans or have not "paid the price"; and
WHEREAS, actively sought out as a public speaker nationwide, Charles Evers motivates young people, black and white alike to work together, seek better understanding and strive to make our community a better place to live; and
WHEREAS, he hosts the weekly talk show "Let's Talk" on Radio Station WMPR, which features a call-in segment and local and national guests; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Evers and B.B. King sponsor the Medgar Evers Homecoming Festival, which is a three-day annual event held the first week of June each year in Mississippi, and features parades, festivities and a blues show to celebrate the life and work of the late civil rights activist, Medgar Evers; and
WHEREAS, there have been two books written on the life of Mr. Charles Evers, the first book, entitled "EVERS" was written in 1971, and outlined his life, and the second book, "HAVE NO FEAR," was written in 1997, and outlines his role in the Civil Rights Movement and participation in the present struggles of civil rights and humanity; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize historic figures such as Charles Evers, who have contributed to the community, the state and the nation:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the civic leadership, extend best wishes to Mayor Charles Evers and acknowledge his contributions to the history of the State of Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Charles Evers and to the members if the Capitol Press Corps.