---
title: "A resolution recognizing the 300th anniversary and historical significance of the city of Natchez, Mississippi."
identifier: "114-SRES-519"
congress: 114
bill_number: 519
bill_type: "SRES"
version_code: "ats"
version_type: "ats"
bill_url: "https://chamberzero.com/congresses/114/bills/sres/519"
source: "https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-resolution/519"
site: "Chamber Zero"
site_url: "https://chamberzero.com"
rendered_at: "2026-06-03T22:12:04.293Z"
---
Whereas American Indians made use of the land that is now Natchez, Mississippi (in this preamble referred to as "Natchez") before the first European explorers reached the area;Whereas the bluff in Natchez overlooking the Mississippi River has served as a natural geological setting that encouraged trade and cultural development;Whereas Natchez was founded as Fort Rosalie by French settlers under Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne De Bienville in 1716;Whereas construction of Fort Rosalie was completed on August 3, 1716;Whereas Fort Rosalie was destroyed due to conflict between Natchez Indians and French soldiers and colonists in 1729 and rebuilt by the French in 1731;Whereas Natchez came under British control in 1763 and under Spanish control in 1779;Whereas the Treaty of San Lorenzo established Natchez as a United States territory in 1798;Whereas Natchez served as the original capital of the Mississippi Territory from 1798 to 1802 and as the original capital of the State of Mississippi from 1817 to 1821;Whereas Natchez is the terminus of the historically significant Old Natchez Trace, which is now preserved by the United States National Park Service and known as the Natchez Trace Parkway;Whereas Natchez was the original home to Jackson State University, which was first known as Natchez Seminary;Whereas Natchez has been home to several notable individuals, including United States Senator Hiram Rhodes Revels, United States Representative John R. Lynch, and author Richard Wright;Whereas Natchez city events contribute to the cultural life and historical understanding of Mississippi, including—(1)the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration;(2)the Natchez Festival of Music;(3)the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race; and(4)the Natchez Pilgrimage;Whereas the city of Natchez is currently holding a year-long tricentennial celebration, in honor of the history of Natchez, that will end with a 300th birthday party on August 3, 2016;Whereas the heritage and educational events during the tricentennial celebration will be observed by delegations from France and Canada;Whereas Natchez is signified nationally as the oldest European-built city on the lower Mississippi River; andWhereas it is important for the people of Mississippi and the United States to remember history in an inclusive way that honors contributions from all backgrounds: Now, therefore, be itThat the Senate—
  - (1) designates the year 2016 as the "Natchez Tricentennial"; and
  - (2) honors the history and founding of Mississippi through the Natchez Tricentennial.