Read the full stored bill text
H. R. No. 154 *HR43/R2720* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
26/HR43/R2720
PAGE 1 (ELS\KP)
To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Hobgood-Wilkes
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 154
A RESOLUTION HONORING CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY AND 1
COMMEMORATING THE LIVES AND SACRIFICES OF MISSISSIPPIANS WHO 2
SERVED DURING THE "WAR BETWEEN THE STATES" OR THE AMERICAN CIVIL 3
WAR, AND ENCOURAGING THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE TO REFLECT UPON 4
THE HISTORY AND LESSONS OF THAT ERA. 5
WHEREAS, the "War Between the States" or the American Civil 6
War, fought from 1861 to 1865, stands as one of the most tragic 7
and consequential conflicts in the history of the United States, 8
claiming hundreds of thousands of lives and leaving a profound 9
impact upon the people of Mississippi and the nation as a whole; 10
and 11
WHEREAS, thousands of Mississippians served during that 12
conflict, and many gave their lives in service to what they 13
believed to be their duty, leaving behind families and communities 14
whose histories remain intertwined with the events of that era; 15
and 16
WHEREAS, the passage of time has not diminished the 17
significance of the sacrifices endured by those who lived through 18
the war, nor the responsibility of later generations to remember 19
H. R. No. 154 *HR43/R2720* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R2720
PAGE 2 (ELS\KP)
the hardships experienced by their ancestors and to study the 20
lessons of history with honesty and reflection; and 21
WHEREAS, flags have been utilized throughout history to 22
represent an area and its people; and 23
WHEREAS, Mississippi Governor John Stone, a Confederate 24
veteran, recognized the need for the State of Mississippi to have 25
an official flag in 1894; and 26
WHEREAS, Mississippi Senator and Mississippi Division SCV 27
member Edward N. Scudder, the son of Confederate veteran J.B. 28
Scudder, designed a reconciliation state flag for Mississippi; and 29
WHEREAS, that flag was adopted by the State Legislature and 30
signed into law by Governor Stone on February 7, 1894; and 31
WHEREAS, that flag represented the people of Mississippi, 32
past and present, for more than 126 years; and 33
WHEREAS, numerous individuals, businesses, and institutions 34
continue to display the 1894 state flag as an expression of their 35
respect for Mississippi's history and heritage; and 36
WHEREAS, Mississippi law recognizes the last Monday of April 37
as Confederate Memorial Day, a legal holiday set aside for 38
remembrance of the Mississippians who died during the war, as 39
provided in Section 3-3-7 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as 40
amended; and 41
WHEREAS, for more than three decades, governors of the State 42
of Mississippi, representing both major political parties, have 43
issued proclamations recognizing Confederate Heritage Month during 44
H. R. No. 154 *HR43/R2720* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R2720
PAGE 3 (ELS\KP)
the month of April, continuing a tradition that began in 1993 and 45
acknowledging the historical observance of Confederate Memorial 46
Day under Mississippi law; and 47
WHEREAS, memorial observances have long served as occasions 48
for reflection upon the cost of war, the value of reconciliation 49
and unity, and the importance of preserving historical knowledge 50
for future generations; and 51
WHEREAS, honoring those who lived through difficult chapters 52
of history does not require the reopening of old divisions, but 53
rather encourages a thoughtful remembrance of the past and a 54
renewed commitment to the principles of peace, unity, and mutual 55
respect among all citizens; and 56
WHEREAS, the citizens of Mississippi benefit from 57
opportunities to reflect upon their shared history, to recognize 58
the sacrifices of those who came before them, and to draw lessons 59
from the past that may guide the state toward a more unified and 60
prosperous future: 61
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 62
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 63
honor and commemorate Confederate Memorial Day, and respectfully 64
remember the Mississippians who served and died during the "War 65
Between the States" or the American Civil War. 66
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives 67
encourages the citizens of Mississippi to use this day of 68
remembrance as an opportunity to reflect upon the profound costs 69
H. R. No. 154 *HR43/R2720* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R2720
PAGE 4 (ELS\KP)
ST: Confederate Memorial Day; commemorate.
of war, to honor the memories of those who endured its hardships, 70
and to renew their commitment to unity and understanding among all 71
people of this state and nation. 72
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That in observance of Confederate 73
Memorial Day, the House of Representatives encourages that the 74
1894 Mississippi State Flag be respectfully displayed upon the 75
buildings and grounds of the State of Mississippi as a symbol of 76
remembrance for those Mississippians who endured the hardships of 77
the war and as a reaffirmation of the unity and strength of the 78
United States of America. 79
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 80
furnished to the Governor of the State of Mississippi, the 81
Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and to the members 82
of the Capitol Press Corps. 83