Senate Resolution 25

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD AND THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF PARTNERSHIP UNDER THE STATE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.

WHEREAS, the Mississippi National Guard and the Republic of Uzbekistan entered into a formal partnership in 2012; and

WHEREAS, in the 10 years of partnership, the Mississippi National Guard and Uzbekistan have conducted over 200 events together, to include 68 Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, 44 Key Leader Engagements, 51 Bilateral Conferences, and multiple partnerships between Mississippi universities and Uzbek agencies and institutes of higher learning; and

WHEREAS, in 2019, the Governor of Mississippi, the Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and the Adjutant General of Mississippi escorted a military and trade delegation to Uzbekistan to discuss further opportunities for partnering with the Mississippi National Guard and the Republic of Uzbekistan; and

WHEREAS, the President of Uzbekistan and several other high-level officials and ministers have pledged their support and commitment to Mississippi and the Mississippi National Guard; and

WHEREAS, a Sister City Agreement was signed by the Mayor of Clinton, Mississippi, and the Mayor of Zarafshan, Uzbekistan; and

WHEREAS, the Uzbek Ministry of Defense has participated in Exercise SOUTHERN STRIKE for four consecutive years (2019-2022); and

WHEREAS, Uzbekistan Soldiers have competed shoulder-to-shoulder with Mississippi National Guardsmen in the Best Warrior Competition for three years and won overall in 2020 and 2022 and won the International Division in 2021; and

WHEREAS, Five Special Operations training events have been conducted between the 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne); and

WHEREAS, in 2021, 24 Uzbek Soldiers participated in an airborne operation alongside members of the 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) from the Mississippi National Guard and was the first time Uzbek and Mississippi Special Operations Forces conducted joint airborne operations. This monumental occasion was observed by the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the Director of the Air National Guard; and

WHEREAS, in 2022, the Mississippi National Guard was awarded Partnership of the Year Runner-Up by the Chief of the National Guard Bureau for their partnership with the Republic of Uzbekistan:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Mississippi National Guard and the Republic of Uzbekistan on 10 years of successful partnership.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be provided to Ambassador Javlon Vakhabov for the Republic of Uzbekistan, Major General Janson Boyles for the Mississippi National Guard, Lt. Colonel Amanda Villeret for the State Partnership Program, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.