MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 2nd Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Representative McCoy, Akins, Aldridge, Arinder, Bailey, Baker (74th), Baker (8th), Banks, Barnett, Beckett, Bentz, Blackmon, Bondurant, Bounds, Broomfield, Brown, Buck, Burnett, Calhoun, Capps, Carlton, Chism, Clark, Clarke, Coleman (29th), Coleman (65th), Compretta, Cummings, Davis, Dedeaux, Denny, Dickson, Eaton, Ellington, Ellis, Espy, Evans, Fillingane, Flaggs, Fleming, Formby, Franks, Fredericks, Frierson, Gadd, Gibbs, Green, Gregory, Guice, Gunn, Hamilton (109th), Hamilton (6th), Harrison, Hines, Holland, Holloway, Horne, Howell, Huddleston, Hudson, Ishee, Janus, Jennings, Johnson, Lott, Malone, Markham, Martinson, Masterson, Mayhall, Mayo, McBride, Middleton, Miles, Mims, Moak, Montgomery, Moore, Morris, Moss, Myers, Nicholson, Parker, Patterson, Peranich, Perkins, Read, Reed, Reeves, Reynolds, Robinson (63rd), Robinson (84th), Rogers (14th), Rogers (61st), Rotenberry, Scott, Shows, Simpson, Smith (27th), Smith (39th), Smith (59th), Snowden, Staples, Stevens, Straughter, Stringer, Sullivan, Taylor, Thomas, Turner, Upshaw, Vince, Walley, Ward, Warren, Watson, Weathersby, Wells-Smith, Whittington, Woods, Young, Zuber
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING EXEMPLARY DEDICATION OF AUGUSTUS LEON COLLINS TO THE MISSISSIPPI ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AND CONGRATULATING HIM UPON HIS PROMOTION AS BRIGADIER GENERAL.
WHEREAS, formerly a colonel in the Mississippi Army National Guard, Augustus Leon Collins, was recently promoted by the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard, Major General Harold A. Cross, to the position of Brigadier General, becoming the first African-American general in the Mississippi National Guard; and
WHEREAS, a Booneville native and 28-year National Guard veteran, General Collins was selected by Major General Cross in August 2004 to command the 155th Brigade Combat Team, the oldest unit in the Mississippi National Guard and the seventh oldest regiment unit in the nation; and
WHEREAS, a graduate of Booneville High School, General Collins received an Associate of Arts Degree from Northeast Mississippi Junior College, a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Mississippi, a Master of Business Administration Degree from Jackson State University and a Master of Strategic Studies Degree from the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, General Collins began his military career on March 12, 1977, when he enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard, upon graduation from Officer Candidate School on July 26, 1980, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Armor, and assigned as a Platoon Leader, Company C, 1-198th Armor Battalion; and
WHEREAS, General Collins' other assignments include: Executive Officer, Company C, 1-198th Armor Battalion; Commander, Company C, 1-198th Armor Battalion; Commander, Company B, 1-198th Armor Battalion; Deputy Inspector General, Headquarters STARC, MSARNG; Assistant Chief of Staff, Headquarters STARC, MSARNG; Training Officer, Headquarters STARC, MSARNG; Headquarters Commandant, Headquarters STARC, MSARNG; Battalion Commander, 2-198th Armor Battalion; Deputy Director, Military Personnel, Headquarters STARC, MSARNG; Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters STARC, MSARNG; Commander, 154th Infantry Regiment (Regional Training Institute), Camp Shelby, MS; and, Commander, 155th Separate Armored Brigade; and
WHEREAS, the 155th Separate Armored Brigade mobilized in September 2004 as the 155th Brigade Combat Team and deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom in January 2005, where Colonel Collins was promoted to Brigadier General on May 10, 2005, in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, highly decorated for his valor in the face of adversity, General Collins epitomizes the spirit of the Mississippi National Guard and has risen through the ranks continually training himself and soldiers for duty in combat, to personify the perfect example of leadership; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence, as that exuded by General Collins, whose ability to lead his troops gallantly in battle is the trademark of a great American hero:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the exemplary dedication of Augustus Leon Collins to the Mississippi Army National Guard, congratulate him upon his promotion as Brigadier General and extend our warmest wishes for safety and success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Brigadier General Augustus Leon Collins, the Mississippi National Guard Headquarters and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.