Bill Text: MS HC16 | 2011 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Diamondhead VFW; commend and congratulate on having second-largest percentage of veterans in the country.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2011-01-21 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC16 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2011-HC16-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Upshaw
House Concurrent Resolution 16
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING AND COMMENDING THE DIAMONDHEAD, MISSISSIPPI, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS (VFW) POST 2880 UPON HAVING THE SECOND-LARGEST PERCENTAGE POPULATION OF VETERANS IN THE COUNTRY.
WHEREAS, the City of Diamondhead, Mississippi, has a large number of citizen veterans, many of whom have experienced combat, with two of its most active organizations being the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), limited to members who served overseas in the time of war, and the Purple Heart Society, whose membership is comprised of veterans who received a Purple Heart for being wounded in combat; and
WHEREAS, after a recent review of the 2000 census data by Harold Dawley, Ph.D., a retired veterans affairs psychologist, who moved to Diamondhead in 2007, he soon discovered the high concentration of veterans in the area, after having met veterans from all ranks from General downward from all branches and units of the military who served in World War II and subsequent wars, including the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2000 census data, Diamondhead boasted the second-highest percentage of veterans in the United States, with 25.6% of its adults over 18 years of age being veterans, slightly lower than the highest-ranked City of Hampton, Virginia, with 26.7% of adult veterans, and above third-ranked Clarksville, Tennessee, with 24.4% of veterans; and
WHEREAS, with the national average for the percentage of veterans staggering around 12.7%, the percentage of Diamondhead's veteran population more than doubles the national average, with one out of every four adults over the age of 18 years being a veteran; and
WHEREAS, each year the Diamondhead VFW Post 2880 and the Purple Heart Society sponsors the Diamondhead Memorial Day Service, during which time those names are read who have succumbed to the issues of war and life, while their surviving comrades, some of our nation's finest, most distinguished and highly decorated individuals, pay tribute to their fellow servicemen and women; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Diamondhead VFW Post 2880 continually strive to advance the mission of the national organization to foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts, to serve our veterans, the military, and our communities and to advocate on behalf of all veterans, through the fulfillment of its mission to ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country; and
WHEREAS, in its efforts to promote awareness of veteran causes, the Diamondhead Community recently formed the voluntary Diamondhead (Regimental) Brass Band for the purpose of providing martial and patriotic music at events honoring our military and its veterans; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend such organizations as the Diamondhead VFW Post 2880, which has committed itself to forwarding the cause of veterans who have served abroad in times of foreign conflict, many of whom reside in Diamondhead, Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby acknowledge and commend the Diamondhead, Mississippi, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2880 upon having the second-largest percentage population of veterans in the country and express most sincere wishes for continued success, increased enrollment and participation of veterans in all of its future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Diamondhead VFW Post 2880, the Mayor of the City of Diamondhead and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
