Senate Bill 2089

AN ACT TO CREATE A NEW CODE SECTION TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 3-3-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DESIGNATE "MEET MY MISSISSIPPI" AS THE OFFICIAL STATE POEM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 3-3-51, Mississippi Code of 1972:

3-3-51. The poem "Meet My Mississippi," by Patricia Neely-Dorsey, copyrighted 2013, is hereby designated as the State Poem of Mississippi. The poem reads as follows:

"MEET MY MISSISSIPPI"

William Faulkner's Sanctuary

Eudora Welty's home state

Elvis Presley's birthplace

The bulk of the Natchez Trace;

Choctaw Nation native land

Rolling hills of the Chickasaw band

Sprawling beaches along the Gulf Coast shore

One blues man's Crossroads and inspiration for more;

Like Albert, B.B., Bukka, Howlin' Wolf

Little Milton and Muddy Waters who came to the fore

There's farm-raised catfish, Delta tamales, seafood galore

And warm front porch welcomes with a wide-open door

Creative muse for Barq's Stetson, Peavey, Viking

And Henson's famous green frog

And "Where The Southern Crosses The Yellow Dog"

An abundance of history, tradition and folklore

With Ruins of Windsor Vicksburg Battlefield

Emerald Mound and Pharr Mounds to explore

You'll find an authentic Dentzel carousel merry-go-round

Where Jimmie Rodgers fathered a unique country sound

She's a ride down the Mighty River on the American Queen

And some of the most beautiful countryside that you've ever seen

She's music and melodies and the mockingbird's songs,

By valor and arms and faith ever strong;

She's magnolias blooming around Jackson's capitol dome

And the sweet scent of honeysuckle

With the buzz of the honeybee

And sweet scent of the honeysuckle

That forever say "home"

Since December 10, 1817

Our 20th state

"Go Mississippi"

The Hospitality State

Roll On Mississippi

You're a true State of Grace

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.