B.B. King or Elvis Presley; request the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to approve the replacement of Jefferson Davis with either.
Summary
House Concurrent Resolution 23 is a formal request from the Mississippi Legislature to the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to approve replacing Mississippi’s Jefferson Davis statue in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall Collection with a statue of either B.B. King or Elvis Presley. The resolution recites the history of Mississippi’s current statues, explains the federal process for replacing a statue in the collection, and argues that either proposed replacement would better reflect Mississippi’s identity today.
The resolution presents B.B. King and Elvis Presley as Mississippi-born cultural icons whose lives and careers symbolize the state’s musical heritage, global influence, and community contributions. It emphasizes Mississippi’s reputation as the “Birthplace of America’s Music” and frames the proposed replacement as a way to honor the state’s evolution from its past to a more inclusive present. The measure also asks the Governor to support the request and to establish a commission of artists and artisans to help raise private funds for the new statue.
If adopted and approved at the federal level, the resolution would not itself change Mississippi statutory law, but it would initiate the process under federal law for removing and replacing a statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection. The practical effect would be to seek authorization for Mississippi to replace Jefferson Davis’s statue and to shift the state’s representation in the U.S. Capitol to one of two entertainment figures associated with Mississippi. Any replacement would require compliance with federal conditions, and Mississippi would be responsible for related costs.
The general sentiment reflected in the resolution is strongly favorable and celebratory. The bill’s tone is patriotic and aspirational, presenting the proposed change as a respectful update that honors Mississippi’s history while highlighting its cultural achievements. There is no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials, so the available context shows support through sponsorship and the resolution’s language, but no documented opposition in the record provided.
The main point of contention implied by the resolution is the symbolic replacement of Jefferson Davis, a Confederate leader, with a figure or figures representing music and broader public appeal. The resolution does not identify specific opponents, but the choice between B.B. King and Elvis Presley may reflect different views about which icon better represents Mississippi. The inclusion of both names suggests an effort to build consensus around a replacement that is culturally significant and less politically divisive than the current statue.
Impact
HC23 would direct Mississippi to formally request federal approval to replace its Jefferson Davis statue in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall Collection with a statue of either B.B. King or Elvis Presley. The resolution relies on the federal statute governing the collection, and if approved, the Architect of the Capitol would work with Mississippi under federal conditions for removal, replacement, and installation. The measure does not amend Mississippi code, but it would trigger a state-led process involving the Governor, private fundraising, and a commission of artists, while shifting the state’s Capitol representation from a Confederate-era figure to a Mississippi music icon.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment is positive and commemorative, with the resolution portraying the proposed replacement as a proud update to Mississippi’s image. Support is grounded in state pride, musical heritage, and the desire to present a more inclusive and contemporary symbol in the National Statuary Hall Collection. No votes or committee transcripts were provided, so there is no documented floor or committee opposition in the available record, but the subject matter itself suggests the potential for ideological disagreement over removing Jefferson Davis.
Contention
The central contention is symbolic and historical: whether Mississippi should replace a statue of Jefferson Davis, a Confederate leader, with a statue honoring a musician instead. Supporters frame the change as reflecting Mississippi’s modern identity and cultural achievements, while critics of such efforts typically focus on preserving historical figures or resisting removal of Confederate symbolism. A secondary point of contention is the choice between B.B. King and Elvis Presley, since both are iconic but represent different aspects of Mississippi’s musical legacy and public image.