House Concurrent Resolution 51

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND DEDICATED SERVICE OF MR. LAWRENCE "BUD" YOUNG TO NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, since commencing his bull riding career at the age of 12 years old in 1957 and subsequently with the International Professional Rodeo Association in 1964, Mr. Lawrence "Bud" Young has made his mark on the rodeo profession, a mark that will forever be chronicled in the annals of Mississippi as a 2005 Northwest Sports Hall of Fame and 2013 Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College Sports Hall Of Fame inductee, and continually heralded around the campus of Northwest Mississippi Community College upon his second retirement after 49 years of distinguished service as rodeo coach; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Young made his debut on Northwest's campus in 1973 as an instructor in livestock management technology, and inaugurated the college's first rodeo team that same year, which quickly garnered the reputation of champions who have traditionally earned awards in local, regional and national competition in the bareback riding, bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and All-Around categories; and

WHEREAS, with 36 years to his credit at the time of his first retirement in 2009, Coach Young was the longest tenured in Northwest's athletic history, which also encompassed 18 years as the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) facility director and two terms as the association's president; and

WHEREAS, an active member of the International Professional Rodeo Association who, in his former years, competed in the PRCA, CRA, RA and the Deep South Rodeo Association, "Bud," as he is affectionately called, was doubly honored in 2005 with the announcement of the Lawrence "Bud" Young Endowed Scholarship for the benefit of students in the college rodeo program; and

WHEREAS, since retirement, Mr. Young has consistently maintained his commitment to Northwest involvement as the arena manager of the Northwest Multipurpose Arena and as an adjunct faculty member teaching plant science, in addition to his work as a workshops and seminary facilitator for area high school students, private groups and members of the Little Britches Rodeo Association; and

WHEREAS, in 2015, "Bud" was honored by the National Day of the Cowboy (NDOC) organization at the Bryant Lane Cowboy Church, with the Cowboy Keeper Award, which is presented to those individuals who make significant contributions to the preservation of cowboy culture and pioneer heritage, further highlighted by the recipient's impeccable character, joyful work ethic, passion for educating the public about cowboys, leadership and a high degree of creativity; and

WHEREAS, a true Northwest legacy, whose grandfather attended Northwest when it was a high school, the place of inception for his parent's meeting, beginning relationship and eventual marriage, and where he, his son and grandson all attended as proud alums, Mr. Young's name and significance are synonymous with Northwest; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the laudable career and contributions of truly exceptional individuals of Mr. Young's caliber, whose passion for service are the benchmark for excellence by which we all should pattern our lives:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the distinguished career and dedicated service of Mr. Lawrence "Bud" Young to Northwest Mississippi Community College upon the occasion of his retirement, and extend best wishes for continued health and prosperity in the years to come.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Lawrence "Bud" Young, the President of Northwest Mississippi Community College and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.