MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Walls

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING JAMES LAMAR EVANS FOR HIS COURAGEOUS AND HEROIC ACTIONS ON APRIL 3, 1998.

WHEREAS, on April 3, 1998, two young girls fell into the frigid and flood-swollen waters of Lake Ferguson; and

WHEREAS, upon being advised of the situation, James Lamar Evans, a security guard for the Lighthouse Point Casino Security, ran to the water's edge and, upon discovering that there were two victims and an officer in the water, courageously entered into the icy and murky waters of Lake Ferguson; and

WHEREAS, disregarding the peril to himself, James Lamar Evans plunged through the cable-snarled waters to aid Officer Russell Frazier in searching for a victim who had slipped beneath the surface; and

WHEREAS, after Officer Frazier pulled the victim to the surface, James Lamar Evans helped an exhausted Officer Frazier to shore; and

WHEREAS, in a dramatic scene in the stark struggle for life, a white hand grasped a black hand and the victim was pulled to safety; and

WHEREAS, through the prism of joyful tears, there was no color of skin but a rainbow of compassion, courage and heroism; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature of Mississippi wishes to recognize and thank James Lamar Evans for his daring, courageous, compassionate and heroic actions at the scene of a near tragedy:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, That we do hereby commend James Lamar Evans for his courageous and heroic rescue on April 3, 1998.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. James Lamar Evans.