House Concurrent Resolution 100

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR EXTRAORDINAIRE AND HOLLY SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, NATIVE, MR. JESSE J. HOLLAND AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON THE SUCCESS OF HIS FIRST NOVEL, BLACK PANTHER: WHO IS THE BLACK PANTHER.

WHEREAS, Holly Springs, Mississippi, native and University of Mississippi alum, Mr. Jesse J. Holland, an award-winning author, has transcended the literary ranks of journalism, fiction and nonfiction prose to celebrity stardom of mass acclaim after penning and publishing the first novel featuring comic's most popular African-American superhero, the Black Panther; and

WHEREAS, equipped with his Ole Miss baccalaureate liberal arts degree with emphasis in journalism and English, coupled with a masters of fine arts in creative nonfiction from Goucher College, Mr. Holland, who is a race and ethnicity writer for The Associated Press, holds the distinct accomplishment of being recognized as one of a select few reporters whose career has afforded them the unique opportunity to cover all three branches of American government: the White House, the Supreme Court and Congress; and

WHEREAS, in his novel Black Panther: Who Is The Black Panther, the accomplished novelist recounts the origin of T'Challa, the original Black Panther, and places a modern 21st century spin on the larger-than-life fictional character's modus operandi as a newly crowned king for the preservation of his beloved home Wakanda and for the unification and benevolence of mankind, giving new fans and longtime die-hard aficionados an insider's preview for the release of the critically acclaimed movie adaptation of the new Black Panther, produced by Marvel Studios and released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; and

WHEREAS, the author of the now-classic Black Men Built The Capitol: Discovering African American History In and Around Washington, D.C. as his first book, and subsequent novel The Invisibles: The Untold Story of African American Slavery In The White House, which was named as the 2017 Silver Medal Award winner in U.S. History in the Independent Publisher Book Awards as well as one of the top history books of 2016 by Smithsonian.com, Jesse's vivid depiction of the Black Panther earned him the privilege of being entrusted by Lucasfilm to chronicle the history of Finn, the newest African-American hero for the catalogue of Star Wars series as the literary component of Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Finn's Story; and

WHEREAS, in addition to lending his stroke of novelesque genius to some of comic's most prolific heroes, Mr. Holland shares his love of journalism and writing through public speaking and teaching, having served as the visiting Distinguished Professor of Ethics in Journalism at the University of Arkansas in 2016, and is currently teaching creative nonfiction in the masters of fine arts program at his second alma mater, Goucher College in Towson, Maryland; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence in literature and journalism when displayed by the highest caliber of penmanship and creativity of such exceptionally talented individuals as Mr. Jesse J. Holland, whose penchant for the written art form has brought much attention to his success as a true literary craftsman:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend award-winning author extraordinaire and Holly Springs, Mississippi, native, Mr. Jesse J. Holland and congratulate him upon the success of his first novel, Black Panther: Who Is The Black Panther, and extend sincere wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Jesse J. Holland and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.