[Craig Ray, director of the Tourism Division of the Mississippi Development Authority, said state leaders are aware of the problems faced by communities that relay on tourism dollars.] What we can do is protect the business we have now by moving conventions scheduled for the coast to other places, ... We're constantly on message that the state is open for business.

Mississippi has worked hard to entice avid golf-and-gaming travelers to visit our great state, because we knew if we got them here once, they would come back. The sales increases demonstrate the rising trend of visitors to Mississippi and we hope increasingly more visitors will judge our offerings for themselves.

See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories. Ask for no guarantees, ask for no security.

What an ambassador he's been for the state of Mississippi.

In doing so, they have defrauded the state of Mississippi,

Sunsets are loved because they vanish.

Flowers are loved because they go.

The dogs of the field and the cats of the kitchen are loved because soon they must depart.

These are not the sole reasons, but at the heart of morning welcomes and afternoon laughters is the promise of farewell. In the gray muzzle of an old dog we see goodbye. In the tired face of an old friend we read long journeys beyond returns.