MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Gordon, Burton

Senate Concurrent Resolution 580

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING CAPTAIN PETE COLLINS UPON HIS RETIREMENT AS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR THE MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL. 

WHEREAS, after 25 years of service, Pete Collins recently retired as Director of Public Affairs for the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol; and

WHEREAS, during his career with the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, Pete Collins was a charter member of the prestigious Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Honor Guard, a certified underwater rescue diver and a distinguished marksman; and

WHEREAS, in 1988, Pete Collins was selected Statewide Trooper of the Year; and

WHEREAS, as Director of Public Affairs for the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, Pete Collins has traveled more than four million miles worldwide, speaking to over nine million people (students, civic groups and industry) on a variety of subjects; and

WHEREAS, Pete Collins is a member of the National Speakers' Association and International Platform Association and has five videos that are in distribution nationwide, including: "Driving a Two-Way Street," "Riding With Nothing But The Radio On" (selected as the number one safety video of 1989 by the American Coalition of Traffic Safety), "The Greatest Heartache You'll Ever Know," "Do You Think You're Going to Live Forever," and "Troopers Tall Tales"; and

WHEREAS, Pete Collins did not set out to become an award-winning speaker -- he was just a trooper who felt compelled to tell anyone who would listen about his experiences as a highway patrol officer; and

WHEREAS, when recounting experiences on the highways, Pete Collins' delivery is a unique blend of laughter and tears of happiness and heartache, and his perspective on the issues facing our world today makes a story that is not soon forgotten; and

WHEREAS, in 1990, the Air Training Command of the United States Air Force awarded Pete Collins the Outstanding Citizen Award, and in 1991, the United States Navy recognized him for his contributions to the men and women of the land, sea and air operations; and

WHEREAS, in April 1994, President Bill Clinton awarded Pete Collins the Presidential Citation of Outstanding Enforcement Officer; and

WHEREAS, Pete Collins received many awards, but his most cherished was that of wearing the uniform of a Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Trooper for 25 years; and

WHEREAS, Pete Collins and his wife, Marilyn, reside in Madison, Mississippi, where he is the father of one son who is a Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Trooper; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to commend the exemplary service of the citizens of this state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Captain Pete Collins for his many years of service and recent retirement from the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol and that we do hereby extend best wishes for his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be furnished to Pete Collins and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.