MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 5th Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Carmichael, Mettetal, King, Kirby, Browning, Butler, Chaney, Clarke, Cuevas, Dawkins, Dearing, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Harden, Hewes, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Lee (35th), Lee (47th), Little, Moffatt, Morgan, Posey, Robertson, Ross, Thames, Thomas, White, Wilemon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE HEROIC ACTION OF MISSISSIPPI STATE GUARD CORPORAL VINCENT B. KENNEDY DURING HURRICANE KATRINA, AND EXPRESSING THE CONGRATULATIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE FOR HIS RECEIPT OF THE MISSISSIPPI MAGNOLIA CROSS MEDAL.
WHEREAS, Mississippi State Guard Corporal Vincent B. Kennedy has been recommended for the Mississippi Magnolia Cross Medal by his commanding officer, Brigadier General Thomas Logue; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Kennedy distinguished himself on August 29, 2005, by saving the life of Mr. Thomas Murphy, of Pascagoula, Mississippi, while placing his own life in mortal peril; and
WHEREAS, while assigned to the 402nd Military Police Battalion, Mississippi State Guard and on a military police detail providing security for the Moss Point High School shelter during Hurricane Katrina, Corporal Kennedy was notified that Mr. Murphy had succumbed to an asthma attack and did not have his medications at the shelter. After searching the shelter for any other source of medication for Mr. Murphy, Corporal Kennedy took it upon himself to evacuate Mr. Murphy from the shelter in hopes of finding a route to the local medical center to obtain medical attention. These actions occurred during the onset of hurricane force winds and rising waters. Corporal Kennedy tried several routes out of Moss Point until his vehicle succumbed to rising waters. With his vehicle stalled in continuously rising water, Corporal Kennedy and a Department of Human Services employee, who had accompanied him on this mission, got Mr. Murphy out of the vehicle and into a boat that was brought along side of his vehicle by a civilian. The waters at this point were at Corporal Kennedy's chest and rising, and despite the fact that Corporal Kennedy has a lower leg amputation and wears a prosthetic device, he successfully removed Mr. Murphy from the vehicle and to safety. After reaching dry ground, Corporal Kennedy then checked at several residences and eventually found an asthma inhaler. After administering the inhaler to Mr. Murphy, the party returned by another route to the shelter where Mr. Murphy was able to wait out the storm prior to Medivac due to the administration of the inhaler procured during the mission; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Kennedy continued to be an active part of his units' ongoing missions despite grievous personal injury to his prosthetic leg sustained during his efforts to save Mr. Murphy. His selfless actions and disregard for personal safety were directly related to the preservation of Mr. Murphy's life; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride and humility that we recognize the heroic action of this great American and Mississippian, who is the guardian of civilization as we know it today:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the heroic action of Mississippi State Guard Corporal Vincent B. Kennedy during the landfall of Hurricane Katrina, and express the congratulations of the Legislature upon his receipt of the Mississippi Magnolia Cross Medal.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Corporal Vincent B. Kennedy and his family, be forwarded to Brigadier General Thomas O. Logue, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.