Senate Resolution 89

(As Adopted by Senate)

A 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 competitions 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 is the longest tenured instructor in Northwest's athletic history, which also encompasses 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 known, 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 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 workshop 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; and

WHEREAS, a true Northwest legacy, whose grandfather attended Northwest when it was a high school, is the place his parents met and where he, his son and grandson have all graduated, Mr. Young's name and significance are synonymous with Northwest; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend the laudable career and contributions of this exceptional individual, whose passion for service is an example for all Mississippians:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, 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 this resolution be presented to Mr. Lawrence "Bud" Young, forwarded to the President of Northwest Mississippi Community College and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.