Contact: Chris Gallegos, 202-224-5054

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) on Tuesday visited with Natasha Trethewey, the U.S. Poet Laureate, who today recited from her Pulitzer Prize-winning collection “Native Guard” as part of a Library of Congress commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

Cochran praised Trethewey, a Gulfport native, when she was named Poet Laureate last June (http://bit.ly/KiRam5).  Trethewey is also Poet Laureate for the State of Mississippi.

Open through June 1, “The Civil War in America” exhibition features items associated with the first-hand experiences of Americans, from both the South and North, during the war.  Artifacts on display include diaries, letters, maps, song sheets, newspapers, photographs, drawings and unusual artifacts.

Links
•   Library of Congress/Trethewey & Poetry:  http://www.loc.gov/poetry/
•   The Civil War in America Exhibition: http://1.usa.gov/1186Kzb

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