House Concurrent Resolution 83

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION HONORING THE HISTORIC FOUNDING OF THE BLACK STUNTMEN'S ASSOCIATION AND THE COALITION OF BLACK STUNTMEN AND STUNTWOMEN.

WHEREAS, in 1967, a daring group of African-American stuntmen, athletes, and extras founded the Black Stuntmen's Association in Los Angeles, California, to combat racial discrimination and to create equal opportunities for all people of color in the motion picture and television stunt industry; and

WHEREAS, in 1973, the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women was formed to create a united front to continue the fight against racial bias in the industry; and

WHEREAS, the need for these organizations was born from a Hollywood era when African Americans were not allowed to act as stunt doubles in the film industry; and

WHEREAS, as the Civil Rights era gained momentum, African Americans and other minority actors and actresses were shown more on-screen, but stuntmen of color were denied jobs because studios chose to "paint black" the faces of white stuntmen, instead of hiring stuntmen and women of color; and

WHEREAS, since its inception, the Black Stuntmen's Association has produced some of the world's most renowned stunt performers and 2nd unit directors, including the acclaimed Stuntmen Henry King, Tony Brubaker, Richard Washington, Ernie Robinson, Bob Minor, Calvin Brown, Jophrey Brown and Greg Elam, whose sons are still in the industry as stunt doubles for Samuel L. Jackson, Will Smith, Don Cheadle and Brandon T. Jackson; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Willie Harris, a Mississippi and Holmes County native, is the president of the Black Stuntmen's Association; and

WHEREAS, he was one of the founding members of the Black Stuntmen's Association; and

WHEREAS, United States Senator Harry Reid has honored and recognized this distinguished group in Congress; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to applaud organizations that seek to tear down barriers and build bridges for all citizens of this country:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do honor the many contributions of the historic founding and existence of the Black Stuntmen's Association and the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Stuntwomen.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Black Stuntmen's Association, the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Stuntwomen, Mr. Willie Harris and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.