MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Bean, Horhn, Farris

A SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIBRARY OF HATTIESBURG, PETAL AND FORREST COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, ON RECEIVING THE DESIGN OF PUBLIC SPACE AWARD OF THE GOVERNOR'S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS. 

WHEREAS, the Library of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County, Mississippi, has recently received the Design of Public Space Award of the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts; and

WHEREAS, the dedication of the new Library of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County, Mississippi, in March 1996, was the culmination of five years of work by a coalition of Forrest County citizens, government agencies, architects, artists, crafts people, and building contractors; and

WHEREAS, the library has many spaces for a variety of uses, including a research room specifically for business, an art gallery, auditorium, courtyard, and meeting rooms for community groups and children's programs; and

WHEREAS, designed by architect and life-long Hattiesburg resident Larry Albert, the new structure incorporated design elements from the old building; and

WHEREAS, the focal point of the library is the central hall, a two-story atrium around which all the library's facilities are arranged; and

WHEREAS, in the central hall is a magnificent mural, The Spirit That Builds, by artist Bill Baggett, which tells the story of Hattiesburg in a series of vignettes beginning with the sun rising over the virgin pine forest and concluding with a train heading into the sun; and

WHEREAS, public and private support totalling $7 Million helped build the new library, and the library continues to attract all segments of the community:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the Library of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County, Mississippi, on receiving the Design of Public Space Award of the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Library of Hattiesburg, Petal and Forrest County and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.