Senate Concurrent Resolution 538

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING RENOWNED BLUES SCHOLAR AND JOURNALIST SCOTT BARRETTA UPON HIS RECEIPT OF THE 2016 GOVERNORS ARTS AWARD IN MISSISSIPPI HERITAGE.

WHEREAS, Scott Barretta entered the world of Blues scholarship when he edited Sweden's Jefferson Blues magazine while teaching at Lund University. In 1999, Mr. Barretta became the Editor of Living Blues magazine at the University of Mississippi, where he began to form partnerships with Mississippi's institutions of higher learning, museums, libraries, festivals and economic development groups to promote Mississippi's creative culture; and

WHEREAS, he is known for his encyclopedic knowledge of Blues music and artists. Scott has written, researched and consulted on many key projects in Mississippi. They include the interpretative signage for markers on the Mississippi Blues Trail, the K-l2 Blues Curriculum for the Mississippi Arts Commission and the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, and the Grammy Museum — Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Scott Barretta entertains the public with his vast knowledge and enthusiasm during his weekly Blues radio show "Highway 61" on MPB Think Radio and his weekly column on the Blues for The Clarion Ledger; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Barretta is currently co-producing a documentary film on Mississippi Fred McDowell and writing two books on the Blues. He is also conducting editorial work for a music and oral histories project with Dr. William Ferris; and

WHEREAS, he is an Ambassador for Mississippi and a Preservationist of its musical heritage. He is known as a friend to and an advocate for Blues musicians everywhere. Scott's passion and dedication to teaching Mississippians and the world about the state's music culture is evident through his devotion to the music and the people of Mississippi; and it is with great pride that we recognize a Mississippi Scholar and Journalist whose record of achievement has brought honor to his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate renowned Blues Scholar and Journalist Scott Barretta upon his receipt of the 2016 Governors Arts Award in Mississippi heritage, and extend our best wishes to Scott on this high honor.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Scott Barretta, forwarded to the Mississippi Arts Commission, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.