House Resolution 9

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CITY OF NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI, UPON BEING NAMED THE MOST LIVABLE SMALL CITY IN THE UNITED STATES.

WHEREAS, the City of Natchez was named the most livable small city in America by the United States Conference of Mayors; and

WHEREAS, this tremendous recognition given to the City of Natchez speaks well of the city's government, both past and present, for what has been done to make the quality of life better for citizens; and

WHEREAS, the City of Natchez contributes the success of its national acclaim to Large Unused Municipal Properties (LUMPS), a city created program developed in 1993, geared to refurbishing and utilizing vacant public buildings; and

WHEREAS, competing with dozens of cities in the category of 100,000 in population and below, the City of Natchez, with an approximate population of 18,000, faired better because of the countless hours spent and the unity of people who would have otherwise not been provided the opportunity to work together; and

WHEREAS, the winning application which was written by David Preziosi, City Planner for Natchez, articulated the superlative ability of the LUMPS program to preserve the history of both the property and the city; and

WHEREAS, the City of Natchez has been the recipient of many similar awards in the past, but because of the national acclaim that follows this award, the government and citizenry of Natchez place great value on such a prominent recognition; and

WHEREAS, in its winning application, as submitted by Mr. Preziosi, only a small segment of completed LUMPS projects were listed, including: the City of Natchez Council Chamber, the Natchez Police and Municipal Court Facility, the Oak Towers Domestic Violence Shelter, the Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center, and the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture; and

WHEREAS, upon receiving the national recognition associated with its new title as the United States' Most Livable Small City, the City of Natchez has bestowed great honor and prestige upon its residents and domiciliaries, the State of Mississippi and its many citizens; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi to recognize and commend the vast accomplishments made by the City of Natchez, whose beacon of historic preservation and ambiance of citywide improvement has established a model for state and nation to follow:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the City of Natchez, Mississippi, on being named the United States' Most Livable Small City and extend to it our heartiest wishes for continuous success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Mayor of the City of Natchez, the Natchez Chamber of Commerce and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.