Senate Resolution 24

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MERIDIAN AND CLARKDALE NATIVE GEORGE NEAL UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS AWARD OF THE COAST GUARD ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL.

WHEREAS, Petty Officer George R. Neal, formerly of Meridian (Clarkdale Community), Mississippi, and the son of Willie and Jewel Neal, has been awarded the Coast Guard Achievement Medal; and

WHEREAS, Neal was cited for superior performance of duty while assigned as Navigation Division Leading Petty Officer in USCGC Decisive (WMEC 629) from December 1999 to May 2002; and

WHEREAS, displaying outstanding leadership and initiative, Neal flawlessly assumed the role of Division Leading Petty Officer upon reporting and, in the absence of the Navigation Division Chief, immediately assumed leadership of the Navigation Division; and

WHEREAS, with excellent professionalism and providing hundreds of hours of mentoring and training, Neal qualified three new rated Quartermasters and certified eight underway

Quartermasters of the Watch, directly contributing to the ship's operational readiness; and

WHEREAS; with superior attention to detail and relentless work ethic, Petty Officer Neal prepared the Navigation Division for two Tailored Annual Cutter Training deployments, completing the Command Assessment of Readiness and Training evaluation with only two discrepancies in 2001 as compared to 51 discrepancies the previous year, the Coast Guard citation said; and

WHEREAS, Neal led the Navigation Team during TACT to successful completion of all navigation drills, leading the ship to earn the Battle "E" Award for Navigation and Seamanship at TACT 2000-2001 and to earn the Operational Readiness "O" Award in 2001; and

WHEREAS, the citation said Neal demonstrated expert fiscal responsibility and accounting as Operations Department Supply Officer. He initiated more than 300 necessary procurements throughout his tour resulting in significant aesthetic improvements, adequate navigational and administrative supplies and properly stocked charts; and

WHEREAS, Neal also completed a 14-day course of instruction on maritime search planning at the National Search and Rescue School and the Maritime Search Planning Course in September; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the military accomplishments of this Mississippian who has brought honor to his family, his community, his country and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Meridian and Clarkdale native, Petty Officer George R. Neal, upon the occasion of his award of the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, and extend to him the best wishes of the Senate for his future accomplishments in his career.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Petty Officer Neal and his family and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.