House Resolution 18

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS AND COMMEMORATING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND SERVICE OF MR. CARL "ROSS" LANGSTON AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, "To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, the grand architect of the universe, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny, has summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Carl "Ross" Langston to eternal rest, as he has made life's final transition from earthly travailing to heavenly reward, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi and the Gulfport Community lost a wonderful friend, community leader, Christian and educator on Wednesday, January 22, 2014, with the passing of Mr. Langston, a native of Dunn, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Dunn High School Class of 1971, Mr. Langston later attended Atlantic Christian College and Campbell College where he was a standout baseball player before joining the United States Navy in 1973 and serving as the Senior Military Athletic Trainer at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, until 1978; and

WHEREAS, upon relocating to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1978, Mr. Langston was employed with Gulf Coast Orthopaedic Clinic until 2006, and immediately subsequent thereto, with Dr. George Salloum at Bienville Orthopedics until 2013, while maintaining his service to the educational community in the fulfillment of his passion as head athletic trainer for Gulfport High School for more than 34 years; and

WHEREAS, a recognized leader amongst his peers throughout his entire career, Mr. Langston was the recipient of numerous honors and recognitions, including: the Archibald Clinton Hewes Sports Medicine Award in 1983; named Outstanding Mississippian by the Jaycees in 1990; received the President's Award in 2001; the Paul Wright Membership Award in 2002 from the Gulfport Gridiron Club; received the 25 year award from the National Athletic Trainers Association in 1991; the Contribution to Amateur Football Award in 2002 by the Gulfport Chapter of the National Football Foundation; named 2005 Mississippi Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Mississippi Athletic Trainer's Association; inducted into the Mississippi Coaches Hall of Fame in 2009; honored with the establishment of the C. "Ross" Langston Sports Medicine Scholarship Fund in 1989; and the 2014 posthumous induction into the Mississippi Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, a long time member of the Gulfport Gridiron Club, Mr. Langston held professional memberships with the American Society of Orthopedic Physician Assistants, Mississippi Association of Coaches, National Athletic Trainers Association, Southeast Athletic Trainers Association and the Mississippi Athletic Trainers Association, as well as being a former member of the Harrison County Emergency Medical Management Board; and

WHEREAS, as fate would lend itself to building upon the blueprint divinely designed for the pattern of his life by the Great Deity, Mr. Langston's love, chivalry and affection pierced the heart of Mrs. Joanne Young Langston, and the duo became bone of one another's bone and flesh of one another's flesh after exchanging the nuptials of holy matrimony enjoying 32 years of life together as soul mates and best friends; and

WHEREAS, a God-fearing Christian before all other roles he assumed and a devoted husband, Mr. Langston was most notably known for the love, compassion and unselfishness that he displayed for others, as was made evident through his endless commitment to his work, athletes, patients and everyone he met; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to now ascend onto the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Mr. Langston's memory will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors: devoted wife, Joanne Young Langston; mother, Evelyn Lucas Langston; siblings, Phyllis L. Turnage and Eddy Langston; six nieces and nephews; seven great nieces and nephews; and a host of other colleagues, friends and current and former student athletes; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the selfless and genteel nature of an individual of the esteemed caliber as that of Mr. Langston:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commend the life, legacy and service of Carl "Ross" Langston and extend sincere and deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Carl "Ross" Langston and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.