Mississippi
| Capital | Jackson |
|---|---|
| Nickname | The Magnolia State |
| Official Language | English |
| Governor | Phil Bryant, R |
| Senator | Thad Cochran, R (202) 224-5054 Contact |
| Senator | Roger Wicker, R (202) 224-6253 Contact |
| Ratification of Constitution/or statehood | December 10, 1817 (20th) |
| Flag of Mississippi | Motto: "Virtute et armis" (By valor and arms) |
Mississippi is located in the South of the United States and on December 10, 1817 became the twentieth state to enter the Union. Mississippi was once a member of the Confederate States of America. The capital of Mississippi is Jackson which is also its largest city. The current governor of Mississippi is Haley Barbour, a Republican. It was the third most obese state in 2011.
Contents
Elected Officials
Federal
- Sen. Thad Cochran (R)
- Sen. Roger Wicker (R)
- Rep. Alan Nunnelee [R, MS-01]
- Rep. Bennie Thompson [D, MS-02]
- Rep. Gregg Harper [R, MS-03]
- Rep. Steven Palazzo [R, MS-04]
Statewide
- Governor Haley Barbour (R)
- Lt. Governor Phil Bryant (R)
- Attorney General Jim Hood (D)
- Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann (R)
- State Auditor Stacey Pickering (R)
- State Treasurer Tate Reeves (R)
Economy
Although Mississippi's economy has traditionally been heavily agriculture-based, the state has experienced some industrial growth in recent years. The economy near the southern coastline of the state was severely disrupted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.[1] Mississippi is currently the most impoverished state in the Union, with 20% of the populace under the poverty line and a $36,000 median salary.[2]
Higher Education
Mississippi's public universities include:
- Alcorn State University
- Delta State University
- Jackson State University
- Mississippi State University (MSU)
- Mississippi University for Women (now a co-ed university)
- Mississippi Valley State University
- University of Mississippi (also has a law and medical school)
- University of Southern Mississippi
Private universities include:
- Belhaven College (affiliated with the conservative Presbyterian Church (PCA))
- Blue Mountain College
- Millsaps College
- Mississippi College (Ole Miss)
- Rust College
- Tougaloo College
- William Carey University
Notable people from Mississippi
- Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre is from Kiln.
- Confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest was from Mississippi.
- Actor James Earl Jones was born in Arkabutla.
- Former United States Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott represented Mississippi in the Senate from 1989 to 2007.
- James Meredith made headlines as the first African-American student at the University of Mississippi in 1962.
- Oprah Winfrey was born in Kosciusko.
- Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo.
- Muppets creator Jim Henson was born in Greenville.
References
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