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SJ 332

Celebrating the life of Marquise Sterling Hunt.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cliff Hayes and 2 co-sponsors

A ceremonial tribute by the General Assembly honoring Marquise Sterling Hunt's civil-rights leadership and community advocacy, with no laws or funding changes.

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ332ER)
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Bill Summary · SJ 332

Summary of Senate Joint Resolution 332 (SJ332ER)

Overview

  • Title: Celebrating the life of Marquise Sterling Hunt
  • Type: Senate Joint Resolution (ceremonial memorial)
  • Status: Enrolled; SJ332ER (as passed by both chambers)
  • Introduced: February 3, 2025
  • Key dates: Agreed by the Senate on February 6, 2025; Agreed by the House of Delegates on February 10, 2025; Enrolled on February 11, 2025

SJ332ER is a commemorative resolution recognizing the life, advocacy, and community leadership of Marquise Sterling Hunt. It does not create or amend law or authorize expenditures; its purpose is to honor Hunt’s memory and public service and to express the General Assembly’s respect.

Purpose and Intent

  • To note with great sadness the loss of Marquise Sterling Hunt, a prominent Portsmouth community leader and advocate.
  • To acknowledge Hunt’s contributions to racial and gender equity, police accountability, prison reform, workers’ rights, voting rights, and affordable housing.
  • To recognize Hunt’s national and local impact as a public speaker, adviser, and founder of civic-engagement initiatives, and to present a formal expression of respect to his family.

Key Provisions and Content

  • Biographical summary: Hunt was born in Chesapeake, engaged in faith-based activities at Zion Bethel United Church of Christ in Portsmouth, and participated in youth programs (youth choir, usher guild, praise dance).
  • Education: Attended Churchland High School; studied at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi.
  • NAACP leadership: President of the Tougaloo College chapter of the NAACP; led the Youth and College Division of the NAACP Mississippi State Conference; served as youth civic engagement coordinator for Mississippi Votes.
  • National leadership: Chair of the NAACP National Youth and College Task Force; directed civic-engagement strategies reaching more than 25,000 young people nationwide.
  • Advocacy and public life: Worked to confront social injustices and advocate for communities in need; supported racial and gender equity, police accountability, prison reform, workers’ rights, voting rights, and affordable housing.
  • Emmett Till Legacy Foundation: Inspired by visiting Emmett Till’s murder site, Hunt helped establish the foundation to educate and empower youth.
  • Public presence: Served as a trusted advisor to local and state officials; appeared on MSNBC; supported the Biden-Harris campaign in 2020; provided insights to multiple organizations.
  • Family and memory: Honored posthumously in recognition of his influence on family, friends, and the Portsmouth community.

Affected Parties

  • Family of Marquise Sterling Hunt
  • Portsmouth community and broader stakeholder groups engaged in civil rights, voting rights, and social justice
  • General Assembly and state government as the formal repository of memorial expressions

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: February 3, 2025
  • Passed Senate: February 6, 2025
  • Passed House: February 10, 2025
  • Enrolled: February 11, 2025 (final enrolled text SJ332ER)

Fiscal and Legal Impact

  • No fiscal appropriations or statutory changes are associated with this memorial resolution.
  • Effectively a ceremonial acknowledgment and a token of respect from the General Assembly.

Bottom Line

SJ332ER serves as an official, ceremonial tribute to Marquise Sterling Hunt, documenting his life, leadership, and advocacy, and instructing the Clerk of the Senate to present a copy of the resolution to his family. It honors Hunt’s extensive civil rights work, community leadership, and public service without creating policy or financial obligations.

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

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