MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Chassaniol, Jordan, Tollison, Doty, Kirby, Simmons (12th), Gollott, Clarke, Frazier, Sojourner, Dawkins, Hopson, Hale, Lee, Butler (36th), Gandy, Burton, Butler (38th), Massey, Simmons (13th), Stone, Tindell, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING CELEBRATED ACTRESS OCTAVIA SPENCER FOR WINNING THE ACADEMY AWARD OSCAR FOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS FOR HER ROLE IN THE MISSISSIPPI FILM STORY "THE HELP."
WHEREAS, veteran actress Octavia Spencer won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards on February 26, 2012, for her role in the Mississippi Film Story "The Help" completing an awards-season blitz that took her from Hollywood bit player to star; and
WHEREAS, "The Help" is based on a Mississippian's best-selling novel by Kathryn Stockett, directed by Mississippian Tate Taylor, produced by Mississippian Brunson Green, with a dozen Mississippians in speaking roles (including Aunjanue Ellis, Cleta Ellington, Eleanor and Emma Henry, Ritchie Montgomery and John Taylor), along with thousands of extras from Mississippi (your neighbors) and every second of the film was filmed in Mississippi (Greenwood, Jackson, Clarksdale and Cotesworth Plantation in North Carrollton); and
WHEREAS, there has never been an international film story with more local influence, and there has never been a Mississippi film story with more global impact; and
WHEREAS, Miss Spencer won for her role in "The Help" as a headstrong African-American maid whose willful ways continually land her in trouble with her employers in the 1960s in Mississippi. Her brash character holds a personal connection: "The Help" Author Kathryn Stockett based some of the woman's traits on Spencer, whom she met through childhood pal Tate Taylor, the Director of the film. Before taking the stage, Spencer got kisses from "The Help" co-stars Viola Davis, a best-actress nominee, and Jessica Chastain, a fellow supporting nominee; and
WHEREAS, as actress Octavia Spencer made her speech to accept the Academy Award for best supporting actress for her role in "The Help," almost 100 people in Jackson were giving a standing ovation along with the crowd in Hollywood. Sharon Smith of Jackson blotted tears from her eyes as Spencer, who played the role of maid Minny Jackson, cried on the projection screen on the back wall of the diner at Brent's Drugs in Jackson's Fondren neighborhood, where parts of the movie were filmed. Among those attending the Oscar night party at Brent's Drugs were Ella and Emma Henry of Jackson, twins who played the single role of toddler Mae Mobley in the movie, accompanied by their parents; and
WHEREAS, Octavia Lenora Spencer, born May 25, 1972, is best known for her role as Minny, the outspoken maid in the 2011 film, "The Help," for which she received an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress, a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, she is the sixth of seven children. Her mother worked as a maid. Spencer graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in 1988, and received a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Auburn University. Spencer made her film debut as a nurse in Joel Schumacher's "A Time to Kill" based on the book by John Grisham. She was originally hired to work on casting, but asked Schumacher if she could audition for a small part. Other film credits include: "Never Been Kissed," "Big Momma's House," "Bad Santa," "Spider-Man," "Coach Carter," "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!" and "Pretty Ugly People." She has made a number of guest appearances on a myriad of hit series including: "Raising the Bar," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "The Big Bang Theory," "Wizards of Waverly Place," "NYPD Blue, Grounded for Life," "ER," "Titus," "Becker" and "Dharma & Greg." Also known for her starring roles as Serenity Johnson on Comedy Central's "Halfway Home," and Constance Grady, the amorous INS caseworker on "Ugly Betty"; and
WHEREAS, "The Help" has most deservedly been the belle of the awards season, named on just about every best film list and winning awards in ceremonies around the world. The actresses have been celebrated the world over and have been gracious and moving in their reminiscences of filming this story in Mississippi. Financially, it is one of the most successful films of the year, making more than $200 Million in the box office. It was nominated for four Academy Awards including, for the first time ever, a Mississippi producer nominated for Best Picture for a film shot in Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, "The Help" is a big story for Mississippi. We can never say too much about the brilliance of the cast. Octavia Spencer was an important part of our lives in the summer of 2010, influencing Jackson, Greenwood, North Carrollton and the Mississippi film program for years to come:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby congratulate celebrated Actress Octavia Spencer for winning the Academy Award Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Mississippi film story "The Help" and extend our best wishes to Miss Spencer for future successes and invite her to return to Mississippi anytime.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Octavia Spencer, forwarded to Ward Emling, Director of the Mississippi Film Office, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.