House Resolution 18

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MR. RICHARD ROSS, JR., UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS PARK MANAGER OF THE GEORGE P. COSSAR STATE PARK AND EXPRESSING TO HIM THE GRATITUDE OF THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR HIS EXEMPLIFICATION OF LEADERSHIP DURING HIS UNPARALLELED AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER.

WHEREAS, as Park Manager of the George P. Cossar State Park, Richard Ross, Jr., has steered the State Park through a period of unparalleled growth which has allowed the Cossar State Park to emerge as a crown jewel of Mississippi's state parks and recreational system, a moniker it will long enjoy well after his retirement on January 31, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Ross, who served as a Ranger of the George P. Cossar State Park from 1990 until 2006, when he was promoted to Park Manager under the direction of the Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Commission, grew up in the shadows of the park as it was being developed and later evolving into a sportsman's paradise situated on the shores of Enid Lake, admiring its pristine offerings which shaped his ultimate destiny of serving as a Ranger and Park Manager; and

WHEREAS, with the unmatched support of the Friends of Cossar organization, the Oakland community and local campers, the park has hosted several events that highlight its bountiful offerings of outdoor recreation activities, including longstanding programs such as the Halloween Haunted Trails and the annual Easter egg hunt, both of which have spanned the course of approximately three decades, and are now in the workings of updating the family friendly and all-inclusive miniature golf course; and

WHEREAS, when during his tenure Mr. Ross weathered the storm of several recommendations to close several state parks amid budget cuts, including Cossar State Park, those very same avid supporters in and around Yalobusha County rallied to battle the urgency to close Cossar State Park and were victorious in their effort to continue allowing Cossar State Park to thrive as one of the busiest cabin rental locations in the state park system with more than 80 camping pads and two and one-half miles of hiking trails among a myriad of other amenities; and

WHEREAS, upon his promotion to Park Manager, Mr. Ross has endeavored to market Cossar State Park's grandeur, which brings in countless thousands of visitors each year, many of whom have decided to make their retirement or vacation homes permanent in the area; and

WHEREAS, named after the late, former State Representative George Payne Cossar of Charleston, Mississippi, Cossar State Park remains a major component of the future well-being of the area in which it is located due in large part to the distinguished commitment of Mr. Ross who remains the park's best advertising tool; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the selfless service of Mr. Ross's caliber, whose career has established a standard of excellence in his field including ethics, integrity, hospitality, courtesy and adherence to the Golden Rule, as his tenure as Park Manager has honored both the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and this great State of Mississippi that he loves and serves:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize Richard Ross, Jr., upon the occasion of his retirement as the Park Manager of the George P. Cossar State Park, express to him our gratitude for his exemplification of leadership during his unparalleled career of facilitating the exciting growth in visitation and occupancy at Cossar State Park, and extend best wishes for future success in the lighter years of his retirement duties.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be furnished to Mr. Richard Ross, Jr., the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.