MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2004 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Jackson (32nd), Bryan, Harden, Butler, Chamberlin, Clarke, Dearing, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jordan, King, Morgan, Posey, Thomas, Tollison, Turner, White, Williamson

Senate Concurrent Resolution 563

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COLONEL L.M. CLAIBORNE, JR., THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO BE APPOINTED ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND DIRECTOR OF THE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL.

     WHEREAS, on January 11, 2003, Colonel L.M. Claiborne, Jr. was appointed as the Interim Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety/Interim Director of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol.  On February 3, 2000, he was appointed by Commissioner David R. Huggins as the Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety/Director of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol and promoted to the rank of Colonel; and

     WHEREAS, he has served with the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol for over 23 years.  Colonel Claiborne is the first African-American to be appointed Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety/Director of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol in the agency's 65-year history; and

     WHEREAS, Colonel Claiborne graduated with honors from S.V. Marshall High School in Tchula, Mississippi, in 1975.  He then served in the United States Army Infantry from 1975 to 1979.  Following his discharge from the Army, Colonel Claiborne served 22 years with the Mississippi Army National Guard, Troop A 98th Calvary, Louisville, Mississippi, before retiring in 2001.  He continued his education while in the military by attending Fort Stillcum Community College in Tacoma, Washington, and Holmes Community College in Goodman, Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, Colonel Claiborne began his career with the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol in December 1980, as a Trooper assigned to Troop H, Louisville, Mississippi.  He was promoted to the rank of Trooper First Class in December 1985 and in December 1987 to the rank of Staff Sergeant assigned as the Accident Reconstructionist in Troops H and G.  In March 1989, Colonel Claiborne was among the first Highway Patrol Officers to attend training for and become a Crime Scene Investigator with the rank of Sergeant First Class; and

     WHEREAS, in July 1994, Colonel Claiborne became a Master Sergeant, Assistant Troop Commander, for Troop G in Starkville, Mississippi.  Throughout his career, Colonel Claiborne has served as a Tactical Training Officer for several Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Cadet Classes.  In April 1996, he was promoted to the rank of Captain over the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Training Division.  Many of the Officers he has trained continue to serve the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol.  Colonel Claiborne also served as a member of the elite Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Honor Guard; and

     WHEREAS, as the Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Public Safety, Colonel Claiborne assists the Commissioner of Public Safety in overseeing the operations of the Department of Public Safety.  In his capacity as the Director of Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, Colonel Claiborne appoints the directors of and is responsible for the operations of the Office of Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, which consists of the Bureau of Uniform Enforcement, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, the Driver Services Bureau and various specialized divisions.  He is also responsible for the operations of the Office of the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy.  There are approximately 500 sworn officers and approximately 290 civilian employees under his command; and

     WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the singular achievement of this career law enforcement officer who serves as a role model for his fellow troopers and brings honor to the officers and civilians of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the Highway Patrol, and to the State of Mississippi:   NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Colonel L.M. Claiborne, Jr., the first African-American to be appointed Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety and Director of the Highway Safety Patrol, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature on his future endeavors.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Colonel Claiborne, and be forwarded to the Commissioner of Public Safety and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.