House Resolution 45

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING LIEUTENANT COLONEL ALLEN B. WEST FOR HIS OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WHEREAS, as the third of four generations of military servicemen in his family, the distinguished Lieutenant Colonel Allen B. West has valiantly served in the United States Army for over 22 years, and because of his incredible selflessness and noble disposition he has amassed numerous honorable accolades; and

WHEREAS, with his admirable military prowess, Lieutenant Colonel West served in several combat zones and received many honors during his exceptional career in the United States Army, including a Bronze Star; three Meritorious Service Medals; three Army Commendation Medals, one with Valor device; and a Valorous Unit Award, and in 1993, he was named the United States Army ROTC Instructor of the Year; and

WHEREAS, dedicated to excellence, Lieutenant Colonel West received a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee as well as two master's degrees, one from Kansas State University and another from the United States Army Command and General Staff Officers College; and

WHEREAS, as a man of outstanding character and incredible stature, Lieutenant Colonel West was elected to the United States Congress in November 2010, representing Florida's 22nd District, and was a member of the Small Business and Armed Services Committee and was instrumental in passing the 2011 and 2012 National Defense Authorizations Acts; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel West is a Fox News contributor, Director of the Booker T. Washington Initiative at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Senior Fellow at the Media Research Center, contributing columnist for Townhall.com, former Executive Director of the National Center for Policy Analysis in Dallas, Texas, and author of Guardian of the Republic: An American Ronin's Journey to Family, Faith and Freedom and Hold Texas, Hold the Nation: Victory or Death and he also hosts a podcast called the Old School Patriot; and

WHEREAS, as a legacy life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lieutenant Colonel West is also a life member of the American Legion, the Association of the United States Army and the Society of the First Infantry Division, a Patriot Life Member (Benefactor), a member of the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association, an inductee into the University of Tennessee Army ROTC Hall of Fame, a member of the Board of Advisors of Amegy Bank, Dallas Region, and he was appointed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel West is married to Dr. Angela Graham-West, and they have two daughters, Aubrey and Austen, and in his spare time he is an avid distance runner, Master SCUBA diver, motorcyclist and enjoys cheering for his beloved Tennessee Volunteers; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel West believes it will be principled constitutional conservative policies, not politics, which secures a sound economic future for Americans, with growth, opportunity and returning the promise of the American dream for this generation and those to come; and

WHEREAS, with his outstanding disposition, Lieutenant Colonel West certainly exemplifies the phenomenal qualities of perseverance, courage, tremendous devotion to his family as well as unparalleled allegiance to this great nation, inspiring all of those around him to strive for excellence each day; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and salute heroic, patriotic people, especially those such as Lieutenant Colonel Allen B. West, for his remarkable dedication and incomparable service to the United States of America:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend the valor and selflessness of Lieutenant Colonel Allen B. West for his exceptional service and express sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Lieutenant Colonel Allen B. West and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.