MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Cockerham, Young, Hines, Clarke, Rosebud, Dixon, Karriem, Sykes, Harness, Faulkner, Paden, Johnson (94th), Williams-Barnes, Anderson, Anthony, Bailey, Banks, Bell (65th), Blackmon, Burnett, Calhoun, Clark, Denton, Dortch, Gibbs (36th), Gibbs (72nd), Holloway, Hudson, Mickens, Scott, Straughter, Taylor, Walker, Watson, Osborne, Crudup
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE VALOR AND SELFLESSNESS OF RETIRED LIEUTENANT COLONEL LUCIUS WRIGHT UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ARMY ROTC HALL OF FAME.
WHEREAS, the Jackson State University Hall of Fame inductees are an esteemed group of remarkable individuals who have distinguished themselves over their lifetime by making an impact on society through their respective professions, community involvement, philanthropic endeavors and support for Jackson State University, and Retired Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Lucius Wright certainly fits that mold; and
WHEREAS, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and the son of the late Lee and Mary Wright, LTC Wright was educated in the Baltimore Public School System and not only received his bachelor of science degree from Hampton Institute in Hampton, Virginia, but also became a member of an elite fraternity of soldiers and received his commission as an Army Field Artillery Second Lieutenant in May 1965; and
WHEREAS, upon completion of an initial Field Artillery assignment at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he completed the Army's Aviation Course at Fort Stewart, Georgia, and Fort Rucker, Alabama, en route to the first of two Combat Aviation assignments in the Republic of Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, LTC Wright's duty assignments have been both numerous and heroic, including as the Assistant Professor of Military Science at Jackson State University from 1972 until 1975 and overseas as the Intelligence Staff Officer with the 210th Field Artillery Group and also Deputy Commander of the 70th Transportation Battalion (Aviation) from 1975 until 1978 in the Federal Republic of Germany; and
WHEREAS, his statewide assignments include illustriously serving as Commander of the Aviation Division at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah from 1979 until 1983 and as Director, Security and Intelligence Directorate, of the Communications and Electronics Command at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, from 1983 until 1986, and after bravely serving and defending the soil of Lady Liberty for over 20 years, he retired from active duty in 1986; and
WHEREAS, throughout his military career, LTC Wright has uniformed himself in fatigues as well as intrepid displays of fortitude in the face of danger and uncertainty, but he also outfits himself in the navy blue and white of Jackson State University at every opportunity, as he received his master's degree from the acclaimed university before graduating with a doctorate in educational leadership from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, LTC Wright recently retired as the Director of Army Instruction (JROTC) for the Jackson Public School District, and because of his unparalleled dedication to the United States of America and his courageous fight and perseverance, he has received some of the highest awards a noble combatant can receive, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart, two (2) Bronze Stars, Air Medal with fourteen (14) Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, the Master Aviator’s Badge, and numerous other awards and decorations; and
WHEREAS, additionally, LTC Wright was recognized by President Bill Clinton in his 1996 State of the Union Address as a Star Citizen and as the first Olympic Torch Bearer selected in the United States for the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, LTC Wright is the husband of the lovely Bonnie Lee Wright and the father of children, Nathaniel Wright and Michelle Joy Wright, and stepchildren, Daphne Clayton Grissom and Larry Clayton, and he is currently the President and CEO of Total Business Development, Inc. in Jackson, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and salute heroic, patriotic Mississippians, especially those such as Retired Lieutenant Colonel Lucius Wright, for his unparalleled dedication and incomparable service to the United States of America and the State of Mississippi:
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 Retired Lieutenant Colonel Lucius Wright upon his induction into the Jackson State University Army ROTC Hall of Fame and extend 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 Lucius Wright and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.