Legacy of MS Blues Musician "B.B." King and Civil Rights Pioneer Medgar Evers on 100th birthday celebrations; honor memory.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Albert Butler and 3 co-sponsors

Mississippi's SC 508 honors B.B. King and Medgar Evers on their 100th birthdays in 2025, urging public remembrance events; ceremonial, nonbinding, with no new funds or laws.

Enrolled Bill Signed

#rules

What the bill does (purpose)

SC 508 is a concurrent resolution that honors the legacy and memory of two prominent Mississippians — blues musician Riley "B.B." King and civil‑rights leader Medgar Evers — in connection with their 100th birthday celebrations in 2025. The resolution recognizes their cultural, social, and historical contributions to Mississippi and the nation and calls attention to their enduring influence.

Key provisions

Formally honors and commemorates the lives, achievements, and legacies of B.B. King (noted Mississippi blues musician) and Medgar Evers (civil‑rights pioneer).

Marks and supports their centennial (100th) birthday observances in 2025 as occasions to celebrate their contributions to music, civil rights, and Mississippi history.

Encourages public recognition, remembrance events, and participation by state and local entities, community organizations, cultural institutions, and the public (typical for honorary concurrent resolutions).

As a concurrent resolution, it is ceremonial and declaratory in nature; it does not create binding law, appropriate funds, or establish new programs.

Who is affected

This resolution is symbolic and primarily affects constituencies interested in cultural heritage and historical commemoration:

Communities, cultural and historical organizations, museums, and educational institutions in Mississippi that may host centennial events or educational programming.
The general public and fans of B.B. King’s music and students of civil‑rights history who may benefit from increased awareness and commemorative activities.

No direct fiscal or regulatory impact on state agencies or private parties is created by the measure.

Legislative status and timeline

Introduced: January 10, 2025

Referred to Rules: January 10, 2025

Adopted / Title Sufficiency Determined: January 13, 2025 (multiple actions recorded, including "Adopted" and "Immediate Release")

Transmitted to House / Returned for Enrolling: January 13, 2025

Enrolled Bill Signed: January 14, 2025 (final enrollment/signing completed)

Because it is a concurrent resolution that was adopted and enrolled, the measure represents an official, state‑level recognition by the legislature, but it does not require gubernatorial signature to have effect as a formal legislative expression.

Context and significance

2025 marks the 100th anniversaries of the births of B.B. King (born 1925) and Medgar Evers (born 1925). The resolution situates Mississippi’s legislative body in the role of publicly acknowledging and promoting remembrance of two figures with lasting cultural and historical importance: B.B. King for his global influence on the blues and popular music, and Medgar Evers for his leadership and sacrifice in the civil‑rights movement.

The resolution may help stimulate commemorative programming, educational initiatives, and partnerships among state and local cultural and historical organizations.

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