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S. R. No. 28 *SS26/R1169* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Senator(s) Blackwell, Gillespie Isom,
McLendon, Jackson, Simmons (12th)
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 28
A RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE COMMENDATION AND CONGRATULATIONS 1
OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO ALICE MARIE JOHNSON OF OLIVE BRANCH, 2
MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AS THE 3
FIRST-EVER WHITE HOUSE "PARDON CZAR" TO REVIEW CLEMENCY CASES AND 4
SUPPORTING THOSE TRANSITIONING FROM PRISON. 5
WHEREAS, Alice Marie Johnson made history on February 20, 6
2025, when she was appointed the first-ever White House "pardon 7
czar" by President Donald J. Trump; and 8
WHEREAS, a "pardon czar" is the individual appointed to 9
advise on clemency and pardons, focusing on nonviolent offenders 10
seeking second chances, a role Alice Marie Johnson took on after 11
her own life sentence for a drug offense was commuted in 2018. 12
This unofficial White House role involves reviewing cases, 13
recommending individuals for clemency, and ensuring support for 14
those transitioning from prison, with a priority on community 15
safety and successful reintegration, a concept she champions as 16
part of criminal justice reform; and 17
WHEREAS, Alice grew up in Olive Branch, Mississippi, the 18
daughter of sharecroppers, Raymond and Sallie Mae Boggan, who 19
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later became business owners and respected leaders in DeSoto 20
County, Mississippi. Alice is the sixth of nine children. She is 21
the proud mother of five children: Tretessa, Catina, Charles, 22
Bryant and Cory; a grandmother and great-grandmother; and 23
WHEREAS, Alice worked hard all of her life and enjoyed a 24
successful career in business and management. Then, her world 25
turned upside down when she made a terrible mistake. In 1996, 26
Alice was convicted as a first-time nonviolent offender and 27
sentenced to a mandatory life sentence without parole; and 28
WHEREAS, during her time in prison, Alice became an ordained 29
minister, hospice volunteer, and wrote and directed original 30
plays, which were seen by thousands of women, including staff and 31
outside volunteers. She was considered a model prisoner and 32
mentored many women; and 33
WHEREAS, in 2017, Alice's case caught the attention of Kim 34
Kardashian, who advocated for her freedom after seeing a video 35
op-ed of her. Kim subsequently met with President Trump on 36
Alice's birthday, May 30th. Seven days later the world watched as 37
Alice ran across the street on June 6, 2018, into the arms of her 38
family after being granted clemency. She was one of the most 39
Googled individuals of 2018. Alice had served almost 22 years in 40
prison. Then, on August 28, 2020, she was granted a full pardon 41
by President Trump. Because of the injustice of her case, Alice 42
has become the face of criminal justice reform; and 43
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WHEREAS, Alice has been called our modern-day Harriet Tubman. 44
Alice Marie Johnson didn't get comfortable in her own freedom, 45
instead she reached back and helped many others gain their freedom 46
and receive a second chance in life; and 47
WHEREAS, some of Alice's additional accomplishments are: 48
• Celebrated Author, After Life: My Journey from 49
Incarceration to Freedom; 50
• National and International Speaker; 51
• Criminal Justice Reform Advocate; 52
• Honored as one of four women designated as a "Women's 53
Rights Defender" at the United Nations on International Women's 54
Day; 55
• Honored at the National Civil Rights Museum in its 56
"Catalyst for Change" series; 57
• Honored as a "CAOC Advocate for Justice" award recipient 58
in 2019; 59
• Featured in a Superbowl commercial in 2020; 60
• Honored as one of Ebony Magazine's Power 100 Blacks in 61
America; 62
• Served on the Boards of Duke University and Ready Life; 63
• Founder of the Taking Action for Good Foundation; 64
• She has been on numerous TV networks and podcasts; 65
• Featured in many novels; 66
• Featured in several documentaries; and 67
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ST: Extend congratulations of MS Senate to
Alice Marie Johnson of Olive Branch as the first
"Pardon Czar" appointed by the President.
• Featured model in the launch of Kim Kardashian's SKIMS 68
brand: 69
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF 70
MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Alice 71
Marie Johnson of Olive Branch, Mississippi, who was appointed by 72
President Donald Trump as the first-ever White House "pardon czar" 73
to review clemency cases and support those transitioning from 74
prison. 75
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to 76
Alice Marie Johnson and made available to the Capitol Press Corps. 77