House Concurrent Resolution 50

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING ALL MISSISSIPPI MILITARY AND NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS SERVING THE UNITED STATES BOTH DOMESTICALLY AND IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

WHEREAS, in wake of the tragic September 11, 2001, attack on America and the surrounding events, the Mississippi Army and Air National Guard has found itself busier than ever, not only serving communities throughout the state and nation, but also serving in various capacities overseas to protect our national interests; and

WHEREAS, following the sequence of events on a day that will forever be etched in the world's memory, President Bush authorized the call-up of fifty thousand reservists to support the War Against Terrorism and the Homeland Defense Mission, which included many Mississippi Guard men and women; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi National Guard, upon receiving only a few days' notice, embarked upon both missions to secure and preserve peace and to protect the lives and interests of all Americans, thus exhibiting the high caliber and readiness of our state's troops; and

WHEREAS, after receiving orders from the President, acting in his official capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the United States Military, and from the Governor of the State of Mississippi, acting in his official capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Mississippi Army and Air National Guard, approximately 100 airmen from the 186th Refueling Wing of Meridian, Mississippi, deployed overseas to conduct air refueling operations as part of "Operation Enduring Freedom"; and

WHEREAS, approximately 90 volunteers from the Mississippi 172nd Airlift Wing, of Jackson, composed of six flight crews and maintenance personnel, conducted air transport operations from Europe in support of "Operation Enduring Freedom"; and

WHEREAS, in addition to members of the Mississippi Guard serving abroad, 50 personnel from the 255th Air Control Squadron of Gulfport assisted in the Homeland Defense Effort in Texas; and

WHEREAS, in the Homeland Defense Effort, an additional 80 members of the Mississippi Guard augmented security forces at seven Mississippi airports and at the Grand Gulf Power Plant located in Port Gibson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, 123 guard personnel from the 114th Military Police Company, headquartered in Clinton, Mississippi, with detachments in Vicksburg and Canton, were called to active duty and stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, to provide base security and other support, backfilling for active duty soldiers deployed to Central Asia; and

WHEREAS, the 647th Transportation Company of Laurel, Mississippi, dispatched 157 reservists to Fort Rucker, Alabama, for deployment to support worldwide operations in support of "Operation Enduring Freedom"; and

WHEREAS, 78 guard personnel from Company C of the 20th Special Forces Group based at Camp McCain were deployed to support worldwide operations in support of "Operation Enduring Freedom"; and

WHEREAS, troops based at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport were deployed to southern Afghanistan to assist in repairing an air base for use by the United States Marine Corps; and

WHEREAS, before the September 11, 2001, attack on America, approximately 400 members of the Mississippi National Guard were already serving in the Multinational Peacekeeping Force in Bosnia as Task Force Rifles, working to maintain peace in the Balkan region of Europe; and

WHEREAS, the dedication of the men and women of the Mississippi National Guard, in providing valuable assistance to civilian security forces, has helped instill confidence in the general public that they are committed to this nation's safety; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature finds it most appropriate to recognize and commend the diligence of the men and women of the Mississippi National Guard for their devotion to their state and nation to serve and ensure peace for all:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend all Mississippi Military, Naval and National Guard Troops serving the United States both domestically and abroad.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the commanding officers of the 186th Refueling Wing of Meridian, the 172nd Airlift Wing of Jackson, the 255th Air Control Squadron of Gulfport, the 114th Military Police of Clinton, the 647th Transportation Company of Laurel, Troop C of the 20th Special Forces Group at Camp McCain, the Naval Construction Battalion Center of Gulfport, the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.