Mississippi and Iowa governors honor Columbia native
From Haley Barbour, governor of Mississippi
Editor's note: After much persuasion, Beverly Meng agreed to allow her letters from the governors

of Iowa and Mississippi to be published in The Columbia Star. Meng, a native of

Columbia, has been the executive director of the Mississippi Main Street Association for the

past 14 years. She recently moved back to South Carolina where she plans to do consulting.

Columbia could certainly use Meng's experience and expertise.

Dear Beverly, It is a great honor for Marsha and me to be part of this celebration of your service with the Mississippi Main Street Association on this the occasion of your retirement. On behalf of all Mississippians, I delight in thanking you and commending you for your outstanding leadership and service to our state. Your many friends are proud of your tremendous achievements, and you should be, too.

Under your leadership, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Mississippi the top state- wide Main Street program in the nation. This honor adds value to Mississippi's economic development efforts and is truly an honorable accomplishment. Your long time partnership with the Mississippi Development Authority testifies to the strength and importance of the Main Street program.

Beyond the substantive results produced by your leadership everyone who has had the pleasure of working with you fondly remembers your congeniality. In public life we have to work with many different kinds of people, some more pleasant to work with than others. There is none more pleasant to work with than Beverly Meng.

You are a wonderful example of humanitarian, civic, and volunteer service to the citizens of the State of Mississippi, and I commend your record of achievement and your legacy of strong friendships to all.

Congratulations, Beverly, for a vibrant career and for making Mississippi such an important part of your life. Marsha and I wish you the very best and look forward to continuing our friendship for many years to come.

From Chester J. Culver, governor of Iowa

Beverly has been at the forefront of the preservation movement across the nation for more than twenty years. She was the first Main Street State Coordinator appointed to the National Trust for Historic Preservation Board of Trustees and has been a significant force in shaping the Main Street movement across the country. Beverly's service sets the standard for other leaders to emulate.

On behalf of all Iowans, we salute Beverly and thank her for her dedication to the nation's downtown revitalization efforts and for being a devoted friend and advocate to our Main Street communities.