MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Watson

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE HATTIESBURG ARTS COUNCIL UPON RECEIVING THE 2000 GOVERNOR'S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS COMMUNITY AWARD.

WHEREAS, the Hattiesburg Arts Council will receive the 2000 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts Community Award on March 17, 2000; and

WHEREAS, the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts is a program coordinated by the Mississippi Arts Commission and hosted by Governor and Mrs. Ronnie Musgrove; and

WHEREAS, organized in 1970, the Hattiesburg Arts Council embraced challenges of inclusiveness, creating a board of directors that reflected all socioeconomic levels and cultural backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, in its first few years, the Hattiesburg Arts Council formed a successful partnership with the Hattiesburg Public Schools, creating beneficial programs for specific groups of children dealing with subjects such as drug education, anger management and environmental issues; and

WHEREAS, the Hattiesburg Arts Council, recognizing the importance of taking arts to the people, has worked with the Hattiesburg Public Housing Authority, neighborhood churches, community centers and residents of all ages to provide workshops, concerts and theater performances; and

WHEREAS, throughout its 29 year presence in Hattiesburg, the Arts Council has made outstanding contributions to the development of the greater Hattiesburg area by using the arts to address the community's common needs; and

WHEREAS, the Hattiesburg Arts Council has a specific goal to complete an artistic vision for Hattiesburg that includes public art and will receive a National Endowment for the Arts grant for cultural assessment:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Hattiesburg Arts Council upon receiving the 2000 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts Community Award.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Hattiesburg Arts Council and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.