MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Burton, Blount, Browning, Chassaniol, Dearing, DeBar, Fillingane, Frazier, Kirby, McMahan, Michel, Parker, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Stone, Wilemon, Barnett, Jackson (32nd)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY AND LEGISLATIVE STAFF FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR FOR NAMING THE MISSISSIPPI STATE CAPITOL BUILDING AS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK WHICH IS A RARE DESIGNATION MARKING THE BUILDING'S ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE.
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Interior on November 2, 2016, named the Mississippi State Capitol as a National Historic Landmark, a rare designation marking the building's architectural significance; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Legislature and the Department of Archives and History applied for the designation from the National Park Service. There are over 2,500 National Historic Landmarks in the United States. The designation means the building will be eligible for federal funds if damaged in a presidentially declared disaster; and
WHEREAS, since 1969, the Capitol has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. More than 90,000 sites are on the Register, which includes buildings, archaeology sites and objects deemed worthy of preservation; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Interior said, "The Mississippi State Capitol is a nationally significant example of Academic Classical Revival architecture, providing a remarkably vivid illustration of the nationwide spread of Academic Classicism following the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. Designed by St. Louis Architect Theodore Link, the building is notable among state capitols for its unity of design and construction, having been built by a single general contracting firm, W.A. and A.E. Wells of Chicago, within a single three-year construction program"; and
WHEREAS, the State Capitol was named one of 10 new National Historic Landmarks. United States Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said the National Historic Landmarks Program recognizes properties of exceptional value to the nation and promotes the preservation efforts of federal, state and local agencies and Native American tribes, as well as those of private organizations and individuals. These 10 new National Historic Landmarks reveal important pieces of our nation's diverse heritage through art, architecture and stories of community and identity; and
WHEREAS, designed in 1900 by St. Louis Architect Theodore Link, the Mississippi State Capitol was one of the earliest state capitols built in the style of Beaux Arts Classicism, which came to dominate American public architecture in the early 20th Century. Beaux Arts Designers tried to integrate the arts into their classical buildings, including sculpture, stained glass, and mosaic marble floors, as seen at the State Capitol. The building was constructed from 1901 to 1903 for $1 Million, which was funded through a tax lawsuit settlement with Illinois Central Railroad. "Walking into the Capitol every day, I am always impressed by the beauty of the architecture and the significance of the history within the walls of this structure," Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves said. "This designation ensures this beautiful building, and all of the history contained within, will be preserved for future Mississippians to enjoy." "The Mississippi State Capitol is one of the most beautiful in the country," House Speaker Philip Gunn said. "I am in awe of its beauty and proud to come to work here each day"; and
WHEREAS, the building was designed to house all branches of state government. Currently, only the Legislature, the ceremonial Office of the Governor and an Office of the Secretary of State operate in the Capitol. More than 25,000 visitors from around the world tour the Capitol annually; and
WHEREAS, our Mississippi State Capitol is a magnificent building. It has weathered many storms over the years. The building has been undergoing a $7.4 Million restoration project in recent years. This is its first major facelift in about 30 years. It is a great achievement to have our State Capitol as a National Historic Landmark. It reinforces the importance of preserving our buildings:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and congratulate the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and legislative staff for their successful application to the United States Department of Interior for naming the Mississippi State Capitol Building as a National Historic Landmark, which is a rare designation marking the building's architectural significance.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we extend our thanks to Capitol Curator Brenda Davis; Secretary of the Senate Liz Welch; Clerk of the House of Representatives Andrew Ketchings; Chief Architectural Historian Jennifer Baughn, Mississippi Department of Archives and History; Architectural Historian Richard Cawthon, who researched and wrote the 58-page nomination that secured our National Historic Landmark designation; Capitol Architect Lawson Newman; and the staff of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the Legislature who worked tirelessly to apply for and promote our beautiful New Capitol Building for this National Historic Landmark designation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, the Capitol Curator, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.