MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Seymour, Barnett, Butler (38th), England, Jackson (11th), Simmons (13th), Thompson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MISSISSIPPI-ALABAMA SEA GRANT CONSORTIUM ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY AND RECOGNIZING ITS ACHIEVEMENTS.
WHEREAS, the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC) became the nation's first bi-state Sea Grant Program in 1972; and
WHEREAS, MASGC has served the bi-state region of Mississippi and Alabama through university-based coastal science research, engagement and education programming for 50 years; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi State Legislature supports MASGC's research, communications, education, extension and legal programs to coastal communities that lead to the responsible use of ocean and coastal resources in Mississippi, Alabama and the Gulf of Mexico region through informed personal, policy and management decisions; and
WHEREAS, MASGC's focus areas are Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development, Healthy Coastal Ecosystems, Resilient Communities and Economies, and Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture; and
WHEREAS, MASGC members include Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, The University of Mississippi, The University of Southern Mississippi, University of South Alabama, Auburn University, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, The University of Alabama and The University of Alabama at Birmingham; and
WHEREAS, MASGC commits to interdisciplinary environmental scholarship and community-based natural-resource management; and
WHEREAS, MASGC supports educational programs that foster environmental literacy and workforce skills in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and other disciplines related to coastal resources that are important to communities that MASGC serves; and
WHEREAS, MASGC research programming supports undergraduate and graduate education in fields related to coastal resources; and
WHEREAS, MASGC is a leader in local, regional and national approaches to understanding and maintaining healthy ecosystems for the current and future generations; and
WHEREAS, MASGC works with the growing coastal populations to apply the best available scientific knowledge to address challenges, such as increased demands on resources, vulnerability to storms and a changing climate, that face coastal and inland communities; and
WHEREAS, MASGC improves the safety and quality of seafood, educates consumers on choosing nutritious and sustainable products and expands sustainable practices for seafood harvest and aquaculture production:
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 Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium for 50 years of service to Mississippi, Alabama, the Gulf of Mexico region and the nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we hereby recognize the achievements of all the current and past staff supported by the MASGC who contributed to fulfilling MASGC's mission of providing integrated university- and college-based research, communications, education, extension and legal programs to coastal communities that lead to the responsible use of ocean and coastal resources in Mississippi, Alabama and the Gulf of Mexico through informed personal, policy and management decisions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we hereby encourage MASGC to continue to support the best science and related education at Mississippi and Alabama colleges and universities to inform public and private decision-making in order to enhance the practical use and conservation of coastal and marine resources while also creating a sustainable economy and environment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we hereby encourage MASGC to continue its partnership model in addressing economic opportunities and environmental issues facing coastal communities in Mississippi and Alabama.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we do hereby request that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an official copy of this resolution to MASGC and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources members, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.