MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Dawkins, Gordon, Michel, Frazier, Harden, Ross

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF ROBERT SILBER MCGOWAN AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Colonel Robert Silber McGowan, Director of Grace House, departed this life on February 4, 2001; and

WHEREAS, Colonel McGowan was the first director of Grace House, a home for living, for people who have the HIV disease; and

WHEREAS, as the only full-time employee of this ministry, Colonel McGowan was responsible for the safety and well-being of the residents, fundraising, fiscal accountability and maintenance of house and grounds; and

WHEREAS, Colonel McGowan was a spokesman for Grace House and provided the community with general awareness of the HIV disease, serving on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year; and

WHEREAS, during his military career, Colonel McGowan served his country in the Army as an enlisted man, a cadet at West Point and an officer for more than 31 years; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, Colonel McGowan earned his master's degree from Columbia University in New York City and was an assistant professor on the faculty of his alma mater for four years; and

WHEREAS, Colonel McGowan's military service included combat duty in Korea, service on the White House staff and three volunteer tours of duty in Vietnam, spanning ten years from 1963-1972, where he was wounded in action three times; and

WHEREAS, Colonel McGowan commanded the Third Squadron, Fourth U.S. Calvary of the 25th Infantry Division during some of the heaviest fighting of the war; and

WHEREAS, after other commands and retiring from active service, Colonel McGowan served on the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium; and

WHEREAS, Colonel McGowan was a graduate of the National War College, the Army War College, the State Department Senior Seminar in Foreign Policy and the Army Command and General Staff College; and

WHEREAS, his military awards included the Army Distinguished Service Cross, four Silver Star Medals, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Purple Hearts, eight Bronze Star Medals (five for valor), thirty-six Air Medals, three Legions of Merit, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Presidential Service Badge and other decorations; and

WHEREAS, Robert Silber McGowan will be sorely missed by his wife, children, grandchildren, a brother and sister, and a host of other relatives and friends:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life of Robert Silber McGowan and express our deepest sympathy to his family upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Colonel Robert S. McGowan and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.