Senate Resolution 7

A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE TO CONTRACT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION AND THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION AND REPLACEMENT OF THE FOUR ORNATE ELECTRIC GLOBE LIGHT FIXTURES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE SENATE CHAMBER ON EACH END OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER/READING CLERK PLATFORM AND TO APPLY FOR APPROPRIATE FUNDING FOR THIS RESTORATION.

WHEREAS, the Mississippi New Capitol Building features over 4,700 original, ornate electric light fixtures from its 1903 completion, designed by Architect Theodore Link, who embraced new electric lighting technology, with many still in use and restored, illuminating its grand hall, rotunda and chambers; and

WHEREAS, unfortunately, the four original ornate electric globe light fixtures that were originally in the front of the Senate Chamber on each end of the Presiding Officer and Reading Clerk dias and platform were removed during a renovation in the mid-1900s, resulting in darkness in the Senate Chamber during evening sessions and an incredible loss of beauty and architectural authenticity in the New Capitol Building; and

WHEREAS, the New Capitol Building and grounds are currently undergoing numerous renovations and needed upgrading to maintain the functional integrity and historical context of this leading example of Beaux-Arts architecture in the Capitol City; and

WHEREAS, the New Capitol Building is well over a century old, is the third capitol facility constructed in the City of Jackson and has now served as the seat of Mississippi's government longer than all of the previous capitols combined. It is a major tourist attraction and the symbol of our state; and

WHEREAS, the current members of the Senate are in favor of the restoration of our chamber to its original style and appearance as a tribute to our institution:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby authorize and direct the President Pro Tempore and the Senate Rules Committee to enter into appropriate contracts or memoranda of understanding with the Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management of the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration jointly with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, for the design replication, reconstruction and replacement/installation of the four ornate electric globe light fixtures with fluted brass stands that were originally located in the front of the Senate Chamber on each end of the Presiding Officer/reading clerk platform dias and to apply for appropriate funding for this restoration from legislative appropriation or historic preservation grants.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to the State Fiscal Officer and the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, forwarded to the Lieutenant Governor and Governor and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.