MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Hewes, Gollott, Horhn

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE GEORGE E. OHR ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER, THE CITY OF BILOXI AND THE KNIGHT FOUNDATION THROUGH THE SUN HERALD FOR THEIR RECEIPT OF THE 1997 ARTS PARTNERSHIP AWARD OF THE GOVERNOR'S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS. 

WHEREAS, the George E. Ohr Arts and Cultural Center in Biloxi, which houses a permanent collection of the work of master potter George E. Ohr, was realized through a quintessential public-private partnership championing the arts in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the center, with the help of many people, began as a "people's museum" in downtown Biloxi; and

WHEREAS, Roland Weeks, publisher of The Sun Herald, ensured the success of the arts center by securing a $75,000.00 grant from the Knight Foundation in Miami and by continuing as a strong advocate for the center; and

WHEREAS, the City of Biloxi played an integral role through the steadfast support of the mayor and city council during the planning stages and by its continued allowance of free use of cultural center space and its provision of a monthly stipend and in-kind support by many municipal staffers and agencies; and

WHEREAS, the George E. Ohr Arts and Cultural Center, the City of Biloxi and the Knight Foundation through The Sun Herald have been honored with the 1997 Arts Partnership Award of the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we hereby commend the George E. Ohr Arts and Cultural Center, the City of Biloxi and the Knight Foundation through The Sun Herald for their receipt of the 1997 Arts Partnership Award of the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts and for their collective achievement in establishing and sustaining an arts center easily accessible to every citizen of Biloxi and the Gulf Coast.