Senate Concurrent Resolution 557

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING BRIGADIER GENERAL AUGUSTUS LEON COLLINS FOR HIS SUCCESSFUL COMMAND OF THE 155TH BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM DURING OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

WHEREAS, Brigadier Augustus Leon Collins was selected by Major General Harold A. Cross, the Adjutant General of Mississippi, to command the 155th Brigade Combat Team in August 2004; and

WHEREAS, General Collins is a Booneville, Mississippi, native and 28-year National Guard veteran; and

WHEREAS, General Collins and the 155th Brigade Combat Team deployed to Iraq in January 2005 after four months of intense combat training at Camp Shelby; and

WHEREAS, the brigade, which is made up of 3,500 Mississippi National Guard soldiers and others from Vermont and Arkansas, trained at Camp Shelby near Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and was deployed for a one-year tour of duty in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, "General Collins epitomizes the spirit of the Mississippi National Guard and has risen through the ranks and continually trained himself and his soldiers for duty in combat," General Cross said. "He is the perfect example of what a leader should be, and did an excellent job leading his troops during combat operations in Iraq"; and

WHEREAS, General Collins earned the respect of his soldiers, peers and leaders, resulting in successful combat missions and humanitarian and construction projects; and

WHEREAS, Collins, 47, has degrees from the University of Mississippi, Jackson State University and the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, General Collins put the welfare of his soldiers first and foremost, and continually supported them throughout their tour of duty; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we note this significant event in the history of the Mississippi National Guard, and recognize this military professional who has brought honor to his unit, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Brigadier General Augustus Leon Collins for his successful command of the 155th Brigade Combat Team during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature on his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to General Collins, forwarded to the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.