House Concurrent Resolution 72

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS FOR RECEIVING TOP HONORS AND BEING NAMED "FITTEST IN THE NATION" AT THE 2018 NATIONAL LAWFIT CHALLENGE.

WHEREAS, for the third time in the last four years, conservation officers from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks claimed the title of "Fittest in the Nation" as they took the top spot at the 2018 National LawFit Challenge in Southaven, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, because officers are called upon to perform diverse duties, the health and fitness of law enforcement personnel is exceedingly critical as an exceptional level of fitness can be the key to both officer and citizen survival; and

WHEREAS, with this in mind, the National Center for Public Safety Fitness, located on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, established the LawFit Challenge to recognize those law enforcement officers who have proven that they possess incredible physical fitness; and

WHEREAS, the National Center for Public Safety Fitness invited law enforcement agencies from across the country to send their most fit officers to compete in the 2018 LawFit Challenge, with over 150 law enforcement officers competing in six different events, which have been found to be good predictors of an officer's fitness for duty; and

WHEREAS, LawFit is a three-day intense competition that includes four-person teams, pairs and individual competitors, and consists of a series of six fitness and job-related competitive events, including: bench press, 1.5 mile run, sit-ups, flexibility, pull-ups and the suspect pursuit course, and awards are given to individual event winners, the top five male and female competitors as well as the top five teams; and

WHEREAS, as an elite group of skilled individuals, the Wildlife team consisted of the following talented and distinguished officers: Private Derrick Scott, Lieutenant Marcus Christon, Corporal Justin Gates, Private Cody Barber, Private Karri Fulton, Private Cody Corso, Private Tamarrius Good, Lieutenant Ricky Barry and Major Chris Reed; and

WHEREAS, reigning victorious, the team conquered each of the six events with numerous team members placing in the top spots, including: Corporal Justin Gates, winning first place in bench press, first place in overall four-man teams and third overall male; Private Derrick Scott, winning first place in the 1.5 mile run, first place in the mixed pairs division, first place in overall four-man teams and first overall male; Lieutenant Marcus Christon, winning first place in pull-ups, first place in the suspect pursuit course, first place in overall four-man teams and second overall male; Private Karri Fulton, winning first place in the mixed pairs division; and Private Cody Barber, winning first place in overall four-man teams; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding individuals who diligently serve in state agencies, especially those such as the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks LawFit Team, whose strength, determination and perseverance brings honor to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and commend the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for taking top honors in the 2018 LawFit Challenge, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.