Senate Concurrent Resolution 586

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE TRICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITY OF NATCHEZ AND ENCOURAGING ALL MISSISSIPPIANS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMEMORATION ACTIVITIES AND DECLARING MARCH 16, 2016, AS "NATCHEZ TRICENTENNIAL DAY" IN THE STATE CAPITOL.

WHEREAS, on August 3, 1716, the French completed construction of a wooden palisade fort, high on the bluff overlooking the Eastern Shore of the Mississippi River in the area occupied by the American Indian Tribe known as the "Natchez"; and

WHEREAS, the City of Natchez has had a varied past, bountiful as well as tragic, and once home to one of the largest cotton trade ports and second-largest slave markets in the country, it shall be recognized for all it has endured and persevered. The City of Natchez has preserved, through the work of the community, its history through the stories and places over 300 years; and

WHEREAS, known internationally as an enchanting Southern city of our great state, with a legacy shaped by people of American Indian, African, French, British and Spanish descent, Natchez today is a true cultural kaleidoscope that also includes the traditions and influences of African-American, Asian, Hispanic, Indian, Jewish, Italian, German and Scottish, among other ethnic groups; and

WHEREAS, the contributions of residents and visitors alike have influenced the architecture, cuisine, education, geography, arts, music, literature, health care, religion, government, agriculture, and social landscapes of the river city; and

WHEREAS, in 2016, the City of Natchez will be commemorating the past, celebrating the present, and creating the future as it observes its 300th Anniversary:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the Tricentennial Anniversary of the establishment of the City of Natchez and encourage all Mississippians to participate in commemoration activities and declaring March 16, 2016, as "Natchez Tricentennial Day" in the State Capitol.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Natchez Tricentennial Commission, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Natchez and the Mississippi Office of Tourism, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.