Bill Text: MS HC78 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Colonel Donnell Berry; commend upon retirement from D.P.S.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2016-03-15 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC78 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-HC78-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Young
House Concurrent Resolution 78
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL DIRECTOR COLONEL DONNELL BERRY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, 36-year Department of Public Safety veteran Colonel Donnell Berry has announced his retirement as Director of the Mississippi Highway Patrol effective February 1, 2016, to be succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel Chris Gillard; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Donnell Berry was born and raised in Bentonia, Mississippi, where he attended Bentonia High School, before advancing in collegiate matriculation to earn a bachelor of science degree in business administration in May of 1980 from Alcorn State University; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Berry's ambition was to become a Trooper for the Mississippi Highway Patrol and in September of 1980, Colonel Berry attended Mississippi Highway Patrol Cadet Class 21, where he graduated on December 12, 1980; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Berry, who received numerous meritorious promotions throughout his tenure with Mississippi Highway Patrol, was promoted to Assistant Troop Commander in Troop C on December 1, 1990, and on May 14, 1996, Berry was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, District Executive Officer for Troop C, before receiving a January 2004 promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Deputy Chief of Uniform Enforcement Division of the Mississippi Highway Patrol; and
WHEREAS, on February 18, 2011, Colonel Berry was appointed Chief of the Mississippi Highway Patrol and promoted to the rank of Colonel by Governor Haley Barbour, who remarked that "Berry's knowledge of law enforcement guidelines, combined with his on-the-street experience, will serve him well as the head of the state's highway patrol"; and
WHEREAS, while we can never repay our debt to law enforcement officers and their families, we can ensure that we appreciate their honorable and noble service by living our lives in a way that pays tribute to their incomparable service:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and commend the professional law enforcement service of Mississippi Highway Patrol Director Colonel Donnell Berry on the occasion of his retirement, and extend best wishes to Colonel Donnell Berry and his family in all of their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Colonel Donnell Berry, to the Commissioner of Public Safety and Governor Phil Bryant and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
