MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Parker, Barnett, Blackwell, Branning, Dearing, DeBar, Frazier, Hopson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Seymour
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE LAWFIT CHALLENGE FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS (TEAM WILDLIFE) FOR TAKING TOP HONORS AND SETTING NEW RECORDS IN THE 17TH ANNUAL LAWFIT CHALLENGE HELD IN SOUTHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Conservation Officers from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) claimed the title of "Fittest in the Nation" as they took the top spot at the 17th Annual National LawFit Challenge held June 8-10, 2018, in Southaven, Mississippi. Over 150 law enforcement officers from around the country competed in this year's challenge, testing officers in six different events; and
WHEREAS, in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and with the mandate of Homeland Security in the United States, the health and fitness of law enforcement personnel became more important than ever. Officers are called upon to perform increasingly diverse duties in support of the military and national security personnel. A high level of fitness can be the key to both officer and citizen survival. With this in mind, the National Center for Public Safety Fitness, located on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, has established the LawFit Challenge to recognize those law enforcement officers who have proven that they are fit to serve. The National Center for Public Safety Fitness invited all law enforcement agencies from across the country to send their most fit officers to compete in the 17th Annual LawFit Challenge; and
WHEREAS, LawFit is three days of intense competition. The event includes four-person teams, pairs and individual competitors. The LawFit Challenge consists of a series of six fitness and job-related competitive events: bench press, 1.5-mile run, sit-ups, flexibility, pull-ups, and suspect pursuit course. These tests have been found to be good predictors of an officer's fitness for duty. Awards were given to the top five male and female competitors as well as the top five teams. Individual event winners were also recognized; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers took the title at the National LawFit Challenge for the 12th consecutive year, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks dominated; and
WHEREAS, the 2018 Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks LawFit Team placed in the following events:
· First-Place Bench Press – Corporal Justin Gates;
· First-Place 1.5-Mile Run – Private Derrick Scott;
· First-Place Pull-Ups – Lieutenant Marcus Christon;
· First-Place Suspect Pursuit Course – Lieutenant Marcus Christon;
· First Overall Male – Private Derrick Scott 397;
· Second Overall Male – Lieutenant Marcus Christon 395;
· Third Overall Male – Corporal Justin Gates 390;
· First-Place Mixed Pairs Division – Private Derrick Scott and Private Karri Fulton;
· First-Place Overall Four-Man Team – Private Derrick Scott, Lieutenant Marcus Christon, Corporal Justin Gates, and Private Cody Barber; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks 2018 LawFit Team consisted of the following officers: Private Derrick Scott, Corporal Justin Gates, Private Cody Barber, Private Cody Corso, Private Tamarrius Good, Lieutenant Ricky Barry, Lieutenant Marcus Christon, Private Karri Fulton and Major Chris Reed; and
WHEREAS, "Our officers are the best of the best and the 2018 LawFit Challenge Competition proved that. I am extremely proud of all of these officers who represented themselves and their agency in such a positive light. Job well done," said Colonel Steve Adcock; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks was not the only Mississippi agency that had a strong showing. Rivals Mississippi Highway Patrol and Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks have been swapping places between first and second in the event since 2014; and
WHEREAS, Dr. David L. Bever (Founder of LawFit) is convinced that the rest of the country should follow Mississippi when it comes to being fit for duty; and it is with great pride that we pay tribute to these law enforcement officers who have brought honor to their community, their branch of service 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 the participants in the 2018 LawFit Challenge from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (Team Wildlife) for taking top honors in the 17th Annual LawFit Challenge held in Southaven, Mississippi, and extend best wishes of the Legislature to these officers for future LawFit Challenge success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the members of Team Wildlife, Team Captain Lieutenant Chris Reed, the Executive Director of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.