MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Gollott, Lee, Cuevas, Dawkins, Hewes, Farris, Moffatt, Robertson, Chaney

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING BRIGADIER GENERAL ERNEST R. WEBSTER UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE.

WHEREAS, Brigadier General Ernest R. Webster, a native of Anguilla, Mississippi, is retiring from the United States Air Force after a 33-year distinguished career in the military, spanning from March 28, 1967, to April 3, 2000; and

WHEREAS, General Webster is Commander of the Air Force Reserve Command's 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, where he is responsible for the training, equipping and mission of the 403rd Wing and subordinate units located at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas; and

WHEREAS, General Webster attended Arkansas State University, participating in the Reserve Officer Training Corps and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in management; and

WHEREAS, in January 1967, General Webster entered the United States Marine Corps and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant; and

WHEREAS, General Webster left the Marine Corps after serving tours of duty with a Caribbean readiness force and at Hui Phubai, Republic of Vietnam, and entered the Air Force in January 1972; and

WHEREAS, since that time, he has served as Chief of Aircraft Maintenance; Flight Examiner; Chief of Safety, Operations and Training Office; Squadron Commander, Group Commander, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (14th Air Force and Headquarters Air Force Reserve); and Wing Commander; and

WHEREAS, over the years, General Webster furthered his education and training by attending Post Maintenance Test Pilot School in Santa Ana, California (1971); Maintenance Officer School at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois (1972); Squadron Officer School (1976); Aircraft Accident Investigation School at the University of Southern California (1976); Air Command and Staff College (1976); National War College at Fort Elsie J. McNair in Washington, D.C. (1985); and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where he obtained a master's degree in business administration (1985); and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, General Webster has been recognized with many awards and decorations, such as the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster; the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; the Air Medal with 18 oak leaf clusters; the Aerial Achievement Medal; the Air Force Commendation Medal; the Navy Presidential Unit Citation; the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with five oak leaf clusters; the Air Force Organization Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster; the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; the Combat Readiness Medal with two oak leaf clusters; the National Defense Service Medal with service star; the Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars; the Southwest Asia Service Medal with service star; the Humanitarian Service Medal with service star; the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with oak leaf cluster; the Organized Marine Corps Reserve Medal; the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; and the Kuwait Liberation Medal; and

WHEREAS, General Webster was rewarded with many promotions throughout his military career, beginning with his promotion to Second Lieutenant on January 1, 1967; to First Lieutenant on April 1, 1968; to Captain on December 1, 1970; to Major on May 10, 1977; to Lieutenant Colonel on December 14, 1981; to Colonel on August 1, 1985; and to Brigadier General on April 3, 1995; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend such outstanding Mississippians as General Webster, who has dedicated his life to serving the citizens of the United States and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Brigadier General Ernest R. Webster upon his retirement from the United States Air Force, and wish him luck in his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to General Webster and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.