Download SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 614 A

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
REGULAR SESSION 2013
By:
To:
Senator(s) Hopson, Butler (38th)
Rules
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO.
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614
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEMORATE THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG, TO RECOGNIZE THE OBSERVANCE OF THIS
CRITICAL APRIL 1862-JULY 4, 1863, MILITARY CAMPAIGN, AND TO
DESIGNATE JULY 2013, AS "SIEGE OF VICKSBURG MONTH IN MISSISSIPPI."
WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi witnessed critically
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important American Civil War military engagements on its soil,
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including the Siege of Vicksburg, the Battle of Champion Hill and
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the Battle of Corinth, and hosts historic sites related to these
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strategic engagements which are nationally recognized centers of
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expertise in the study of the American Civil War; and
WHEREAS, "Vicksburg is the nailhead that holds the South's
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two halves together...Vicksburg is the key."
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Presidents, both aware of the importance of the City on the
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Mississippi River.
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hold the City for the Confederacy to survive.
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Lincoln wanted the key to gain control of the river and divide the
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South; and
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Two statements, two
President Jefferson Davis knew it was vital to
President Abraham
WHEREAS, Congress established the Vicksburg National Military
Park in 1899 to commemorate the campaign, siege and defense of
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Vicksburg, and to preserve the history of the battles and
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operations conducted on the ground where the armies fought.
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1990, Congress expanded the park's interpretive mandate to include
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the Campaign and Siege of Vicksburg from April 1862 to July 4,
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1863, and the history of Vicksburg under Union occupation during
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the Civil War and Reconstruction; and
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In
WHEREAS, from 2011 through 2015, the nation will be observing
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the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, and Vicksburg National
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Military Park will initiate its commemoration of the Campaign and
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Siege of Vicksburg, culminating in several signature events
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planned for April through July of 2013; and
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WHEREAS, Vicksburg National Military Park is one of the most
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heavily monumented parks in the world with over 1,330 monuments,
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markers, tablets and plaques.
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monumentation prompted one Civil War veteran to call Vicksburg
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National Military Park, "the art park of the world."
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all, states have monuments in the Military Parks honoring the
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service of the men in their state who participated in the Campaign
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and Siege of Vicksburg.
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monument is located on the south side of Grant Avenue
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commemorating the contributions of African-American soldiers and
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sailors in both the Confederate and Union Armies and Navies; and
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WHEREAS, the records show that the State of Mississippi
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contributed 49 regular Infantry Regiments, 25 regular Cavalry and
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Artillery Regiments; 78,000 men in service of which 60,000 were
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The beauty and artistry of its
Most, if not
In addition, the African-American
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lost in action or by disease; the Commander-in-Chief of the
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Confederate Armies (President Jefferson F. Davis); and 33 Generals
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of the Confederate Army whose remains lie in Mississippi soil; and
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WHEREAS, Vicksburg National Cemetery embraces 116 acres, and
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holds the remains of 17,000 Civil War Union soldiers, a number
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unmatched by any other national cemetery.
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manned by the extreme right of Major General William T. Sherman's
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XV Army Corps during the Siege of Vicksburg, it was established by
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an act of Congress in 1866, and serves as the final resting place
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for United States soldiers who gallantly served this country in
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times of national and international conflict.
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from the Vicksburg Campaign originally buried behind Confederate
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lines, have now been re-interred in the Vicksburg City Cemetery
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(Cedar Hill Cemetery), in an area called "Soldiers' Rest," where
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approximately 5,000 Confederates have been re-interred, of which
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1,600 are identified; and
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Covering ground once
Confederate dead
WHEREAS, during the Sesquicentennial of the War Between the
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States, we will remember the courage and sacrifices of these
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soldiers and recognize the Campaign and Siege of Vicksburg that
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occurred in 1862-1863.
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potential to not only honor Mississippi's rich Civil War heritage,
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but draw many heritage tourists that are taking advantage of the
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Mississippi Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War:
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The Vicksburg Sesquicentennial has the
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF
MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That
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we do hereby commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Siege of
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Vicksburg which resulted in the surrender of the City on July 4,
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1863, recognize the organization and participation of thousands of
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volunteers at the observance of this critical campaign, and
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designate July 2013, as "Siege of Vicksburg Month in Mississippi."
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the State of Mississippi is
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pleased to host this commemorative event and extends our welcome
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to all those who are attending these activities.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted
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to the Governor, the Mississippi Department of Archives and
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History, the Mississippi Commission on the Sesquicentennial of the
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American Civil War, the Mississippi Battlefield Commission and the
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Mayor and City Council of Vicksburg to encourage the education and
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participation of the citizens of the State of Mississippi in this
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important event, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
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ST: Commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the
Siege of Vicksburg and recognize its observance.
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