Political Quotes

“I rise today to commend the accomplishments of an extraordinary Mississippian. Natasha Trethewey, a native of Gulfport, Mississippi, has been named the United States Poet Laureate. I join my fellow Mississippians and fellow Americans in celebrating Ms. Trethewey, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, for receiving our country's highest distinction in the field of poetry. This honor is the first of its kind for my State, but literary excellence is not new to Mississippi. Our great State has a rich literary history because of Mississippians like William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, and Tennessee Williams, who have paved the way for Ms. Trethewey's success in literature. At the young age of 46, Ms. Trethewey has proven herself to be a talented and accomplished American writer. A prolific artist, she explored the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in her nonfiction work, ``Beyond Katrina: A Meditation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.'' Our incoming Poet Laureate has captured the hearts and minds of her colleagues and peers, earning her a fan base across our State and Nation. Librarian of Congress James Billington is among those captivated by Ms. Trethewey's brilliance. In 2004, at the National Book Festival, Dr. Billington described Ms. Tretheway as an American who is ``absolutely unique.'' Today, I am proud to repeat Dr. Billington's praise for this gifted Mississippian. Natasha Trethewey is not only a leader in her field but also a teacher for this Nation's future leaders.…”