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HC 37

B.B. King or Elvis Presley; request the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to approve the replacement of Jefferson Davis with either.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Earle Banks and 2 co-sponsors

Mississippi asks to replace the Jefferson Davis statue in the National Statuary Hall with a statue of either B.B. King or Elvis Presley, funded by private donations and state costs

Died In Committee
#rules
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Bill Summary · HC 37

Summary of Bill HC 37 (Session 2026, Mississippi)

Bill Overview

  • Type: House Concurrent Resolution
  • Sponsor: Representatives Banks, Harness, Hines (co-sponsors: Banks, Harness, Hines)
  • Purpose: Formally request the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to replace Mississippi’s existing statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection (Jefferson Davis) with a statue of either B.B. King or Elvis Presley.
  • Status: Died in committee after being referred to Rules; later actions show it was suspended from deadlines and did not progress in the 2026 session.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • The resolution seeks to substitute Mississippi’s current National Statuary Hall statue from Jefferson Davis to a statue representing either:
    • B.B. King (the Blues legend, born in Mississippi) or
    • Elvis Presley (the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, born in Mississippi)
  • The motive stated is to reflect Mississippi’s present-day identity and “the transformative power of Mississippi from its past to its present,” aligning with the state’s “Birthplace of America's Music” branding.

Key Provisions and Changes Proposed

  • Statue Replacement Request: Formal request to the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to approve removal of the existing Jefferson Davis statue and replacement with a statue of either B.B. King or Elvis Presley.
  • Statutory Authority Cited:
    • 2 USC Section 2132 allows a state to request replacement of a statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection, with a replacement that is “equally suitable and socially inclusive” and representative of the state’s diverse citizenry.
    • Upon approval, the Architect of the Capitol would enter into an agreement with the state to carry out the replacement, under conditions set by the Joint Committee.
  • Financial Responsibility: The state would bear all costs related to the replacement, including:
    • Design and construction of the new statue
    • Transportation and placement
    • Removal of the existing statue
    • Unveiling ceremony
  • Precedent and Context: The resolution notes that other states have replaced statues (e.g., Eisenhower, Reagan, Ford, Edison, Helen Keller) to reflect evolving representation.
  • Governor’s Involvement: Urges the Governor to issue a proclamation endorsing the request and to create a commission of Mississippi artists to solicit and collect private funds for the statue.
  • Commission and Private Funding: Establishment of a Mississippi commission to seek private contributions for the new statue’s creation and placement.

Who or What Would Be Affected

  • Mississippi’s Representation: The National Statuary Hall Collection would change representation from Jefferson Davis (Confederate leader) to either B.B. King or Elvis Presley, both prominent Mississippi icons.
  • State Costs: The State of Mississippi would incur all costs associated with the replacement (design, production, transportation, placement, removal, and unveiling).
  • Architect of the Capitol: Would enter into an agreement with Mississippi if the Joint Committee approves the replacement.
  • Mississippi Artists/Private Fundraising: A state-designated commission would be authorized to solicit private contributions for the new statue.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Authority and Process: The bill relies on 2 USC 2132 to authorize removal and replacement following Joint Committee approval; if approved, an agreement would be executed with the Architect of the Capitol.
  • Legislative Path: As a concurrent resolution, it is adopted by both houses without requiring the governor’s signature to take effect, though it calls for the governor’s proclamation and formation of a commissioning body.
  • Current Status (as of available record):
    • Referred to Rules (January 19, 2026)
    • Died in committee and was suspended from deadlines (April 15, 2026)

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Cultural and Historical Implications: Replacement would shift the symbol from a Confederate figure to modern Mississippi musical icons, aligning with an inclusive representation of the state's heritage.
  • Public Funding vs. Private Donations: Statutory requirement that the state cover costs but allows private fundraising for the statue.
  • Intergovernmental Step: Final decision rests with the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress, with engagement from the Architect of the Capitol if approved.

If you’d like, I can condense this further or add a comparison to similar past replacements in other states.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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