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Commending the Blue Ridge Rifles and Color Guard of North Georgia College and State University as the national champion collegiate precision military drill team of 2001; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega, Lumpkin County, Georgia, is the military college of the State of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, North Georgia College and State University is one of only six senior military colleges in the United States which prepare young men and women to assume positions of leadership both in their communities and the Armed Forces of this country; and

WHEREAS, the Blue Ridge Rifles and the Color Guard are an integral component of the "Boar´s Head Brigade," the Corps of Cadets of North Georgia College and State University; and

WHEREAS, for over four decades, the Blue Ridge Rifles and the Color Guard of North Georgia College and State University have represented the State of Georgia through precision drill exhibition and competition; and

WHEREAS, the annual Tulane Naval ROTC Mardi Gras Invitational Drill Meet in New Orleans, Louisiana, is widely recognized as the national championship for college precision military drill teams; and

WHEREAS, Tulane Naval ROTC Mardi Gras Invitational Drill Meet draws teams representing the college based officer commissioning programs of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force including the service academies, senior and junior military colleges, and reserve officer training corps programs at civilian college and universities; and

WHEREAS, the Blue Ridge Rifles and the Color Guard of North Georgia College and State University have dominated the Tulane NROTC Mardi Gras Invitational Drill Meet since 1988, winning the championship in 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, and 2000, more than any other college precision drill team; and

WHEREAS, on February 23, 2001, the Blue Ridge Rifles under the command of Cadet Captain Phillip Pelphry and Drill Master, Cadet Master Sergeant Zachary Poole and the Color Guard, under the command of Cadet Captain Chris Rivers once again represented the State of Georgia at the 29th Annual Tulane NROTC Mardi Gras Invitational Drill Meet; and

WHEREAS, at said drill meet, the North Georgia cadets competed against 42 military drill teams from colleges throughout the United States including the United States Military Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Naval Academy; and

WHEREAS, at said meet, the Blue Ridge Rifles received first place in platoon basic drill, second place in squad drill, and first place in platoon exhibition drill; and

WHEREAS, at said meet, the North Georgia College and State University Color Guard received first place in the color guard competition; and

WHEREAS, based on said results, the North Georgia College and State University was the top ranked precision drill team and color guard at the Tulane NROTC Mardi Gras Invitational Drill Meet 2001 and thereby the national champion precision military drill team; and

WHEREAS, the Blue Ridge Rifles and the Color Guard have thereby brought great honor on themselves, the Boar´s Head Brigade, North Georgia College and State University, and the State of Georgia.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend the Blue Ridge Rifles and the Color Guard of North Georgia College and State University for their performance and achievement this year as well as their record of dedication, commitment, and contributions to their university and to this state.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the cadet commanders of the Blue Ridge Rifles and the Color Guard and to Dr. Nathaniel Hansford, President of North Georgia College and State University.