Senate Resolution No. 1012

BY: Senator MYRIE

COMMEMORATING the 60th Anniversary of the passing
of the Honorable Medgar Evers, Civil Rights
Advocate, on June 12, 2023

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those individuals who selflessly devoted themselves to a
higher purpose of promoting positive change in society, who
distinguished themselves through professional excellence, and who made
significant contributions to the quality of life of citizens in the
State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the passing of the Honorable Medgar
Evers on Monday, June 12, 2023; and

WHEREAS, In 1925, Medgar Evers was born in Decatur, Mississippi to
James and Jessie Evers; and

WHEREAS, Serving valiantly overseas, Medgar Evers fought in the
Battle of Normandy and faced racism upon returning home from the war;
this experience sparked his journey as a Civil Rights Advocate; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious life, Medgar Evers became
president of the Regional Council of Negro Leadership (RCNL); as head of
the organization, he mounted a boycott of gas stations that barred Black
people from using their restrooms, distributing bumper stickers with the
slogan "Don't Buy Gas Where You Can't Use the Restroom"; and

WHEREAS, Annual conferences between 1952 and 1954 for the RCNL in
Mound Bayou, Mississippi attracted tens of thousands of supporters for
Medgar Evers and his message; and

WHEREAS, As a leader, Medgar Evers became the NAACP's first field
officer in Mississippi and established new local chapters, organized
voter registration drives, and helped lead protests to desegregate
public primary schools, parks, and Mississippi Gold Coast beaches; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to serving those without a voice, Medgar Evers
became involved in two high-profile Mississippi cases, including the
1955 murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till and the 1960 conviction of Clyde
Kennard, a Black Civil Rights Advocate framed for crimes he did not
commit; and

WHEREAS, On June 12, 1963, Medgar Evers was assassinated after
pulling into his driveway and getting out of his car carrying NAACP
T-shirts reading "Jim Crow Must Go"; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the passing of the Honorable Medgar
Evers, Civil Rights Advocate, on June 12, 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of the Honorable Medgar Evers.