Senate Concurrent Resolution 616

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING PEARL RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT ANDREW BURKS AS THE FIRST MISSISSIPPIAN TO WIN THE ROY COOPER 2016 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP JUNIOR CALF ROPING COMPETITION.

WHEREAS, in July 2016, Kiln, Mississippi, native Andrew Burks, 18, became the first Mississippian to win the 19 and under Roy Cooper 2016 World Championship Junior Calf Roping Competition. This nationally prestigious rodeo is a gateway to being invited to other rodeos of its caliber; and

WHEREAS, this victory marks the biggest win in Andrew Burks' six-year career and gives him motivation to continue his success at a higher level, the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas; and

WHEREAS, besides being a six-foot-tall cowboy, Andrew revealed that his advantage over other competitors is his speed when dismounting the horse to rope the calf. During the rodeo, Andrew said he was not concerned about how well he was doing and didn't even think about winning. The hardest round is not the last round to clinch his victory, but the first. With all the nerves and anxiety of competing on the big stage like the Roy Cooper Rodeo, Andrew said the roping was tough at first because he was deep in thought. However, round-by-round it progressively got easier; and

WHEREAS, this win guarantees Andrew Burks an invitation to compete at the professional level in the Roy Cooper Vegas Invitational, an event that only the top 15 cowboys in the nation are invited to attend, which he said is an honor to be a part of; and

WHEREAS, Andrew received a full rodeo scholarship to attend Pearl River Community College, which he accepted this year, making him part of the inaugural rodeo team for the school; and

WHEREAS, "It was the best feeling in the world when I won. The moment was priceless, and I am honored to win such a high-level event. I am blessed to have Triton Stone sponsor me and help me with achieving my goals," said Andrew; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize a young Mississippi rising rodeo talent who has brought honor to his college, 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 Pearl River Community College Student Andrew Burks as the first Mississippian to win the Roy Cooper 2016 World Championship Junior Calf Roping Competition, and extend our best wishes to Andrew and his family for future successes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Andrew Burks, forwarded to the President of Pearl River Community College, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.