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, Bailey, Banks, Blackmon, Burnett, Calhoun, Clark, Denton, Dortch, Gibbs (72nd), Holloway, Hudson, Mickens, Scott, Straughter, Taylor, Walker, Watson, Osborne, Crudup, Anthony, Bell (65th), Gibbs (36th), Jackson
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING RETIRED MAJOR GENERAL AUGUSTUS LEON COLLINS UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ARMY ROTC HALL OF FAME.
WHEREAS, the Jackson State University Army ROTC 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 Major General Augustus Collins certainly fits that mold; and
WHEREAS, the third annual Jackson State University Army ROTC Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 21, 2019, coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Army ROTC program at JSU, and since its formation, over 700 young men and women have earned their gold bars as Second Lieutenants in the United States Army and four General Officers have been produced, one of whom is Major General Collins; and
WHEREAS, Major General Collins received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Mississippi, a master's degree in business administration from Jackson State University and an additional master's degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College; and
WHEREAS, as a man of incredible character and superb stature, Major General Collins served in the United States Army and Mississippi National Guard for more than 35 years, and during his tenure, he held numerous command and staff positions, including command of the Mississippi National Guard's 155th Brigade Combat Team, which deployed to Iraq and was responsible for security operations in the southern and western provinces; and
WHEREAS, as the first African American to attain the rank of General in the history of the Mississippi National Guard, Major General Collins was promoted to Brigadier General in 2005, after garnering much respect and admiration from his colleagues and superiors; and
WHEREAS, from 2007 until 2010, Major General Collins served as representative of labor for the Mississippi Worker's Compensation Commission, and from 2010 until 2012 he served as executive vice president of MINACT, Inc., a Mississippi-based contractor that supports the United States Department of Labor's Job Corps program throughout the nation; and
WHEREAS, after serving five years as the adjutant general of both the Mississippi National Guard and the Mississippi Air National Guard, Major General Collins retired in 2016, and is the current CEO of MINACT, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, throughout his stellar career, Major General Collins inspired everyone he encountered, and with his indomitable grit and passionate determination, he continues to inspire all of those around him to strive for excellence each day; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to pay tribute to great, heroic Mississippians such as retired Major General Augustus Leon Collins, who have dedicated their lives to preserving the freedoms that we enjoy each day and whose unparalleled leadership, dauntless fortitude and unwavering duty brings honor to the State of Mississippi and the United States of America:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend retired Major General Augustus Leon Collins upon his induction into the Jackson State University Army ROTC Hall of Fame, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to retired Major General Augustus Leon Collins and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.