The Associated Student Body Senate adopted a joint-resolution between all eight of Mississippi’s public universities urging legislators to address the current state flag Tuesday night.
The resolution will be signed by all of the universities’ governing bodies. It calls for the State Legislature to address the opposition to the current design of the Mississippi flag during the 2016-2017 legislative session.
With a vote of 28-8, the resolution was adopted.
Mississippi State University and Delta State University have both adopted the resolution as well.
Bella Gonzalez, author of the resolution, said she believes it’s time for students’ voices to be heard.
“I knew [the resolution] was going to pass,” Gonzalez said. “I knew the majority would be on board with this. The only moment when I was concerned was when the effectiveness of the resolution was questioned. But, it’s now or never. This took too many months of planning and frustration for our voices not to be heard, whether they are recognized [by legislators] or not.”
ASB President Rod Bridges addressed Governor Phil Bryant in a letter explaining the goals of the resolution.
“It simply asks that the legislature address it,” Bridges said. “I wish it were more fine-tuned. I’m afraid we missed the deadline for [the resolution] to have any effect. Had this been done in the fall, January, or even last month, it would be a different story.”
In opposition of the resolution, Senator Blake Hembree said the reservation he has toward the bill is that the whole student body is not represented in it.
“Instead of whining like babies let’s put our big boy pants on and do this in Congress,” Hembree said on the floor during debate.
Hembree said when he makes a point in debate, he wants to make the senators think.
“I am for the change of the flag. I hope this does make change,” Hembree said. “What I want senators to know is that we may piss [legislators] off.”
This is the first social issue joint-resolution with total participation from all public universities in the state.
– Jennifer Lott
