Senate Concurrent Resolution 600

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE 1ST BATTALION, 204TH AIR DEFENSE ARTILLERY, SERVING THE UNITED STATES IN OUR NATION'S CAPITOL.

WHEREAS, the United States' Military is in the process of engaging in the war against terrorism both at home and overseas, 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, 170 members of the 1st Battalion, 204th Air Defense Artillery, headquartered in Newton, Mississippi, with units in Morton, Bay Springs, Forest and Decatur, were called to active duty on May 1, 2003, for service in our Nation's Capitol; and

WHEREAS, upon mobilization, these soldiers trained admirably at Ft. Bliss, Texas, exceeding all training standards on active-component precision marksmanship ranges; and

WHEREAS, these soldiers were subsequently deployed to provide air defense for our National Capitol Region; and

WHEREAS, the Battalion was the first National Guard Battalion selected for such a critical mission; and

WHEREAS, they have been recognized repeatedly for excellence during their deployment; and

WHEREAS, the 1st Battalion, 204th Air Defense Artillery, was the first Army National Guard unit in the nation to receive the state-of-the-art Avenger Weapons System because of their history of superior unit readiness and mission accomplishment; and

WHEREAS, the 1st Battalion, 204th Air Defense Artillery, was the first Army National Guard unit in the nation to receive the state-of-the-art Sentinel Radar System to enhance the Avenger Weapons System; and

WHEREAS, the 1st Battalion, 204th Air Defense Artillery, consistently surpasses all training requirements due to the leadership abilities of its command; and

WHEREAS, the 1st Battalion, 204th Air Defense Artillery, consistently surpasses all training requirements due to the professionalism and dedication of its soldiers; and

WHEREAS, the 1st Battalion, 204th Air Defense Artillery, remains one of the most critical combat multipliers in the Mississippi Army National Guard; and

WHEREAS, the 1st Battalion, 204th Air Defense Artillery, will continue its heritage as one of the best trained fighting forces in the Mississippi Army National Guard and will proudly protect life and property in the State of Mississippi and defend our nation's freedoms; and

WHEREAS, the dedication of these soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 204th Air Defense Artillery, 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 the devotion to their state and nation to secure and insure peace for all:

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 personnel in the 1st Battalion, 204th Air Defense Artillery, serving the United States so proudly.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 204th Air Defense Artillery, the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.