MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2022 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Wiggins, England, Thompson

Senate Concurrent Resolution 589

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE SUMMER FIELD PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI'S GULF COAST RESEARCH LABORATORY ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY AND RECOGNIZING ITS ACHIEVEMENTS.

     WHEREAS, the inaugural class of the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory's (GCRL) Summer Field Program (SFP) was sponsored by the Mississippi Academy of Sciences in 1947 and held at the Magnolia State Park in Ocean Springs; and

     WHEREAS, the activities of the Summer Field Program and associated needs for coastal research and teaching in Mississippi led to the creation of the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in 1950; and

     WHEREAS, the Summer Field Program initially consisted of two classes of students and has now grown to include 63 college and university affiliates from 19 states; and

     WHEREAS, the Summer Field Program provides undergraduate and graduate students from across the state and the nation an opportunity to learn about coastal environments in an intensive field and lab-based setting; and

     WHEREAS, over the last 75 years, the Summer Field Program has become a rigorous undergraduate program supported by modern classrooms with laboratories, several research vessels, a curated specimen museum, and a research library; and

     WHEREAS, the Summer Field Program continues to be a core program supporting Gulf Coast Research Laboratory's mission of advancing scientific discovery and promoting academic growth in the fields of marine biology and coastal sciences for the betterment of society, the wise use of natural resources, and the advancement of sound economic development:

     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 Summer Field Program at The University of Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast Research Laboratory on the occasion of its 75th Anniversary and recognize its achievements.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we do hereby recognize the achievements of all current and past faculty and staff supported by the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory who contributed to fulfilling Summer Field Program's mission of providing university and college field-based education.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we do hereby encourage the Summer Field Program to continue to provide superior academic programming at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and continue to educate the next generations of leading scientists.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory continue to promote the study and knowledge of science, including the natural resources of the State of Mississippi, and to provide for the dissemination of research findings and specimens from the Gulf Coast area.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Director of the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory for appropriate distribution and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.