MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2003 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hyde-Smith, Little, Blackmon, Browning, Bryan, Burton, Canon, Carlton, Carmichael, Chamberlin, Chaney, Cuevas, Dawkins, Dearing, Dickerson, Farris, Frazier, Furniss, Gollott, Gordon, Hamilton, Harden, Harvey, Hewes, Horhn, Huggins, Jackson, Johnson (19th), Johnson (38th), Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee, Mettetal, Michel, Minor, Moffatt, Nunnelee, Posey, Robertson, Ross, Scoper, Simmons, Smith, Stogner, Thames, Tollison, Turner, Walden, Walls, White, Williamson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING ALL MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS SERVING THE UNITED STATES, BOTH DOMESTICALLY AND IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
WHEREAS, the United States' Military is in the process of engaging in the war against terrorism in conjunction with President George W. Bush's authorization and call-up of 92,500 reservists, which includes hundreds of Mississippi Guardsmen; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi National Guard, upon receiving only a few days' notice in most cases, has embarked upon both missions to secure and preserve peace and to protect the lives and interest of all Americans, thus exhibiting the high caliber and readiness of our state's troops; and
WHEREAS, after receiving orders from President George W. Bush, acting in his official capacity as Commander and Chief of United States Military, and from Governor Ronnie Musgrove of the State of Mississippi, acting in his official capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Mississippi National Guard, and from Major General James H. Lipscomb III, acting in his official capacity as the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard, has placed thousands of Mississippi Guardsmen on orders to defend this great country; and
WHEREAS, 109 members of the 114th Military Police Company headquartered in Clinton, Mississippi, were called into active service to serve abroad, and successfully completed a tour of duty at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and
WHEREAS, 17 members of the 220th Finance Detachment headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, were called into active service serving in Bosnia; and
WHEREAS, 45 members of the 31st Rear Operations Center headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, were called into active service to serve abroad; and
WHEREAS, 146 members of the 113th Military Police Company headquartered in Brandon, Mississippi, were called into active duty to serve abroad. This unit is the most mobilized unit in the Army National Guard for the past ten years; and
WHEREAS, 22 pilots of Company D, 1-159th Aviation Detachment, headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi, were called into active duty to serve abroad. These pilots fly the Kiowa Warrior aircraft, known as the eyes and ears of the United States Army; and
WHEREAS, 647 members of the 223rd Engineer Battalion headquartered in West Point, Mississippi, with six other locations to include Aberdeen, Calhoun City, Bruce, Charleston, Clarksdale and Webb were called into active duty to serve abroad. This unit is known for its worldwide operations both military and humanitarian; and
WHEREAS, 191 members of the 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, were called into active duty to serve abroad. This unit is known worldwide for its tactical operations; and
WHEREAS, 120 members of the 168th Engineer Group headquartered in Vicksburg, Mississippi, were called into active duty to serve abroad. This unit is the higher headquarters and parent unit of the 223rd Engineer Battalion and the 890th Engineer Battalion; and
WHEREAS, 650 members of the 890th Engineer Battalion headquartered in Gulfport, Mississippi, with units located in seven locations to include Picayune, Wiggins, Lumberton, Columbia, Richton, Purvis and Pascagoula were called into active duty to serve abroad. This unit is also recognized for its worldwide operations, both military and humanitarian; and
WHEREAS, 71 members of the Mississippi Air National Guard, 1108th Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot (AVCRAD) headquartered in Gulfport, Mississippi, were called into active duty to serve abroad; and
WHEREAS, 62 members of the Mississippi Air National Guard, 255th Air Control Squadron, headquartered in Gulfport, Mississippi, were called into active duty to serve abroad; and
WHEREAS, 500 members of the Mississippi Air National Guard, 172nd Airlift Wing, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, were called into active duty to serve abroad; and
WHEREAS, 500 members of the 186th Air Refueling Wing, headquartered in Meridian, Mississippi, were called into active duty to serve abroad; and
WHEREAS, 177 soldiers, known as Task Force Falcon, made up of various units of the Mississippi National Guard have been mobilized and are serving on active duty in the State of Mississippi with a security mission at Columbus Air Force Base, Keesler Air Force Base and the Mississippi Air National Guard Bases at Jackson and Meridian; and
WHEREAS, the dedication of the men and women of the Mississippi National Guard in providing valuable assistance to the United States Military, has helped instill confidence in the general public that they are committed to this nation's security; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Legislature finds it most appropriate to recognize and commend the diligence of these outstanding Mississippians for their devotion to their state and nation to secure and insure peace for all; and
WHEREAS, Major General James H. Lipscomb III has guided and commanded the units of the Mississippi National Guard in military mobilizations and state active duties to include hurricanes, tropical storms, tornados and security at seven airports in the State of Mississippi. His leadership and dedication are known throughout the military of the United States:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend all Mississippi National Guard personnel serving the United States both domestically and abroad.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution are furnished to the commanding officers of each mentioned organization, the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.