Mississippi has much to offer．A strategic location，quality of life，modernized（使现代化）cities，and low tax rates are among the factors that draw people．However，what makes them stay is something more valuable：the people．After 150years of coping with adversity，strife，and political machinations（诡计）designed to put them at a disadvantage，the people have developed a toughness（韧性，坚韧）of character combined with a sweetness of spirit．As they move forward into the 21st Century，this is a strength that gives them a competitive advantage．
Governor州长
Haley Barbour是密西西比州第63任州长。2003年11月4日，在本州史无前例的人群拥护下当选为本州州长。自从就任以来，他主要致力创造就业机会，Barbour反对滥用诉讼权利，并通过了2004年民事侵权行为改革法案。
Haley Barbour is the 63rd Governor of Mississippi．He was elected on November 4，2003，in the largest turnout（聚集的人群）in a gubernatorial（州长的）election in state history．
Since becoming Governor he has been focused on job creation．Governor Barbour led the fight against lawsuit［诉讼（尤指非刑事案件）］abuse in Mississippi and helped pass the Tort Reform Act of 2004－legislation ．The Wall Street Journal called“one of the most comprehensive legal reform bills in the nation”．He also initiated the largest overhaul of workforce development efforts in state history and significantly increased funding for job training．
Governor Barbour organized“Momentum Mississippi”－the state’s long－range economic development strategy group which is composed of state business and community leaders．In his first year，Mississippi had the largest increase in net new jobs since 1999and the largest increase in personal income since 1998．
This year Governor Barbour introduced Mississippi’s most comprehensive education（全面［综合］教育）reform legislation in almost 25years．His“Upgrade Education Reform”package rewards teacher and school performance，reduces state bureaucracy（官僚机构）and strengthens discipline in Mississippi public schools．
In keeping with his pledge to clean up state budget problems he inherited，Governor Barbour introduced“Operation：Streamline”—the largest cost－saving plan in state history－and successfully opposed tax increases on Mississippi citizens．
Governor Barbour has re－focused Mississippi on the fight against drugs by pushing tougher crystal（结晶状的）meth ［（=methamphetamine）［美俚］甲安菲他明（一种兴奋剂）］laws and reorganizing the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics．As a result，drug arrests are up 73％during his term．
Governor Barbour has also led the fight to save Mississippi’s struggling Medicaid program，encouraging preventative（预防性的）care for recipients and implementing the strongest anti－fraud plan in the history of Mississippi Medicaid［〈美〉（由各级政府资助、以穷人和伤残者为对象的）医疗补助（制度）］．
Governor Barbour has worked to protect the unborn．He initiated and passed six Pro－Life laws during 2004that make Mississippi“the safest place in America for an unborn（未来的）child”，according to national right－to－life organization，Americans United for Life．
In the mid－1980’s，Governor Barbour advised President Ronald Reagan for nearly two years as Director of the White House Office of Political Affairs．
From 1993to January 1997，Governor Barbour served two terms as Chairman of the Republican National Committee，including the 1994elections when Republicans won GOP control of both houses of Congress for the first time in forty years and increased the number of Republican governors rose from 17to 32．
Governor Barbour founded and formerly served as Chair and CEO（abbr．Chief Executive Officer 执行总裁）of Barbour Griffith and Rogers，which Fortune magazine ranked the nation’s top lobbying firm．
He is a native of Yazoo City where he lives with his wife，Marsha．They have two ***** sons．Governor Barbour is a Deacon in the First Presbyterian Church of Yazoo City where he has also taught Sunday School．
State Bird州鸟
密西西比州妇女同盟俱乐部举行了州鸟竞选运动，并挑选出嘲鸟作为州鸟。1944年指定嘲鸟为密西西比州州鸟的议案被正式提交，同年2月23日生效。嘲鸟的翅膀呈灰色且有白色斑点。它们可以长到11英寸。嘲鸟可以模仿其他鸟的声音，这也是它们的与众不同之处。
The Women’s Federated Clubs of Mississippi held a state bird campaign，selecting the mockingbird．A bill to designate the mockingbird Mississippi’s official state bird was submitted（提交，递交）in 1944．It passed the House 121－0，the Senate 38－0．The mockingbird was signed into law on February 23．Mockingbirds are gray with white patches on their wings．They grow to be about 11inches long．Mockingbirds copy，or mock，the sounds and songs of other birds．
The Mimus polyglottos，as the mockingbird is known scientifically（按科学的方法），is about ten inches in length，including its relatively long tail．It has a light gray coat and a whitish underside．Its wings and tail are darker gray with white patches．The male and females look alike．Juvenile has spotted breast．
The common mockingbird is a superb songbird and mimic．Its own song has a pleasant lilt（轻快活泼的调子，轻快的动作），varied and repetitive．Often it will sing all night long，especially in bright springtime moonlight．Unmated（未配对的，（鸟等）未交配的）male mockingbirds sing more than mated ones．Both ***es sing in the fall to claim winter feeding territories．These areas are often different than their spring breeding territories．
The song of the mockingbird is，in fact，a medley of the calls of many other birds，each repeated several times．It will imitate other species’songs and calls，squeaky（吱吱响的，发轧声的）gates，pianos，sirens（汽笛），barking dogs，etc．Each imitation is repeated two or three times，then another song is started，all in rapid succession．In the above sample audio file，the songs of four distinct species were recorded in the span of about seven seconds．It is common for an individual bird to have as many as 25－30songs in its repertory．
The mockingbird is also known as a fierce protector of its nest and environment．It is sometimes seen swooping（飞扑，突然袭击）down on a dog，cat or predator（掠夺者）that may be venturing too close to the bird’s protected territory．
Abundance：Common urban bird
Length：10inches
Wing Span：14inches
General description：Diurnal（白天的），omnivore（杂食动物的），altricial（晚成雏的）
Sexual maturity ：1year
Mating season：Spring and early summer．Mockingbirds usually nest twice a year sometimes 3or 4times when conditions are favorable．