House Concurrent Resolution 110

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE DESIRE OF THE STATE TO HOST THE MISSISSIPPI BLUEGRASS INSTRUMENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP THAT INCLUDES A FIDDLING CHAMPIONSHIP IN NEW ALBANY, MISSISSIPPI, DURING THE DOWN FROM THE HILLS HERITAGE MUSIC FESTIVAL.

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Legislature through this resolution expresses its support for New Albany, Mississippi, to be the site for the State of Mississippi Bluegrass Instrumental Championship and that the championship includes fiddling and that it be placed in the Down From the Hills Heritage Music Festival; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi's State Fiddling Championship and the Bluegrass Instrumental Championship, were held in New Albany at the Down From the Hills Heritage Music Festival at the Union County Fairgrounds in 2009; and

WHEREAS, in the past the Mississippi State Fiddling Championship took place at the Dixie National Rodeo in the Magnolia State; and

WHEREAS, this year is the Down From the Hills Heritage Music Festival's eighth year in New Albany and the festival has generated much publicity and community support; and

WHEREAS, the Union County and New Albany government entities financially support the Down From the Hills Heritage Music Festival, as does the Union County Fair Association, Union County Heritage Museum, Tallahatchie Arts Council and Mississippi Arts Commission; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi is the home of many types of music and as such, the Mississippi Legislature should sanction Down From the Hills Heritage Music Festival as the state's Bluegrass Instrumental Championship for the next five years, through 2015; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi Bluegrass Instrumental Championship would include instrumental championships for fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin and dobro; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to express needs that would benefit the state, including the sanctioning of the Mississippi State Fiddling Championship and the State of Mississippi Bluegrass Instrumental Championship:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby acknowledge and express the need for a State of Mississippi Bluegrass Instrumental Championship to take place in New Albany, Mississippi, during the Down From the Hills Heritage Music Festival.

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