House Resolution 65

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING LIEUTENANT PHILIP HEMPHILL FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL AND FOR HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A NATIONAL POLICE SHOOTING CHAMPION.

WHEREAS, a twenty-four-year veteran of the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP), Lieutenant Philip Hemphill has rendered honorable and commendable services to the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, since 1985, Lieutenant Hemphill has been a member of MHP Pistol Team, and from that time until the present he has brought great pride and honor to the state; and

WHEREAS, as a member of the MHP Pistol Team, Lieutenant Hemphill won his first title as National Police Shooting Champion in 1988, and subsequently added five more championship titles to his growing list of awards in 1990, 1993, 1995, 1996 and 2003; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Hemphill shot his first perfect score of 1500 in 1995 and again in 2001, to become one of only two persons to have earned a perfect score, the other officer being Sergeant James Collins from Alabama; and

WHEREAS, at this year's national competitions, Lieutenant Hemphill won the Semi-Auto Distinguished Match by setting a new record. At the 2003 National Action Pistol Championship, he placed third over-all out of a field of approximately 200 shooters from all over the world, including Japan, Australia, Italy, Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland and the Czech Republic; and

WHEREAS, as a member of the MHP Pistol Team, which has a long and rich history of winning as well, including the four-man team champions for 1977, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1996, Lieutenant Hemphill has been afforded the opportunity to travel to Germany as a shooting instructor and competitor; and

WHEREAS, from his competitions abroad, Lieutenant Hemphill has won the Bavarian World Indoor Championship in 1996 and placed second in 1997; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize such outstanding Mississippians as Lieutenant Hemphill, whose distinguished service and many accomplishments have brought great honor, pride and integrity to the State of Mississippi and these United States of America:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Lieutenant Philip Hemphill for his outstanding service to the Mississippi Highway Patrol and for his accomplishments as a National Police Shooting Champion and extend our heartiest wishes for success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Lieutenant Philip Hemphill, the Commissioner of the Mississippi Highway Patrol and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.