Read the full stored bill text
S. R. No. 75 *SS36/R1611* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
26/SS36/R1611
PAGE 1 (rdd\kr)
To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Senator(s) Simmons (12th), Jackson
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 75
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING COMMANDER DESMOND WALKER OF 1
HOLLANDALE, MISSISSIPPI, UPON HIS RECEIPT OF THE 45TH ANNUAL VICE 2
ADMIRAL JAMES BOND STOCKDALE LEADERSHIP AWARD. 3
WHEREAS, we join the United States Navy in recognizing the 4
dedication, expertise and commitment to excellence by a 5
Mississippi naval officer; and 6
WHEREAS, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle 7
presented Commander Desmond Walker, former Commanding Officer of 8
the USS Stout (DDG55) and native of Hollandale, Mississippi, with 9
the 45th Annual Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Leadership Award 10
during a ceremony held in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon on 11
January 15, 2026; and 12
WHEREAS, the Stockdale Leadership Award is presented annually 13
to recognize commanding officers, one from the Pacific Fleet and 14
one from the Atlantic Fleet, who demonstrate inspirational 15
leadership, both professionally and personally, while also 16
contributing to the improvement of leadership in the Navy; and 17
S. R. No. 75 *SS36/R1611* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R1611
PAGE 2 (rdd\kr)
WHEREAS, Commander Desmond Walker recently completed a tour 18
as Commanding Officer of the USS Stout, a U.S. Navy warship 19
operating out of Norfolk, Virginia; and 20
WHEREAS, Walker is a 1996 graduate of the Mississippi School 21
for Mathematics and Science, a 2005 graduate of Norfolk State 22
University and a 2012 graduate of Old Dominion University; and 23
WHEREAS, the skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy 24
are similar to those found in Hollandale. "Growing up in the 25
Mississippi Delta, you are not a stranger to hard work to make 26
ends meet," Walker said. "That work ethic carried forward into my 27
service, whether I was a work center supervisor (enlisted) or a 28
department head (officer). Plus, I always give credit to my uncle 29
who served in the Navy in the 1940s"; and 30
WHEREAS, Commander Walker joined the Navy 29 years ago. "I 31
was conflicted on what I wanted to do after high school," Walker 32
said. "After learning about the opportunities and benefits in the 33
U.S. Navy, I signed up for the delayed entry program and committed 34
to military service." Walker is grateful for his service as the 35
USS Stout's Commanding Officer. "After serving with those sailors 36
for 23 months, from maintenance and training to bringing everyone 37
home after a historic combat deployment, the impact I had on those 38
300 sailors, as a witness to their tenacity, durability, and 39
resilience, is the best part about my career as a Surface Warfare 40
Officer"; and 41
S. R. No. 75 *SS36/R1611* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R1611
PAGE 3 (rdd\kr)
WHEREAS, Commander Desmond Walker received honors for 42
completing his tour as Commanding Officer of the USS Stout. At 43
the end of his tour, Walker earned a Bronze Star Medal and Combat 44
Action Ribbon for individual and unit offensive/defensive actions 45
in a combat zone while in command of an Arleigh Burke-class guided 46
missile destroyer. Additionally, Walker earned the Meritorious 47
Service Medal (third star) for the culmination of actions as a 48
commanding officer that led the crew through an arduous training 49
cycle, earning dozens of awards and recognition; and 50
WHEREAS, the USS Stout is a guided missile destroyer named 51
after Rear Admiral Herald F. Stout, who distinguished himself as 52
the Commanding Officer of the destroyer USS Claxton during WWII. 53
A Navy destroyer is a multi-mission ship that can operate 54
independently or as part of a larger group of ships at sea. The 55
ship is equipped with Tomahawk missiles, torpedoes, guns and a 56
Phalanx close-in weapons system. More than 300 sailors serve 57
aboard a destroyer; and 58
WHEREAS, the U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this 59
year. According to Navy officials, "America is a maritime nation 60
and for 250 years, America's Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe 61
in defense of freedom." With 90% of global commerce traveling by 62
sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea 63
fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the 64
prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting 65
S. R. No. 75 *SS36/R1611* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R1611
PAGE 4 (rdd\kr)
and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of 66
America; and 67
WHEREAS, Commander Walker had many opportunities to achieve 68
accomplishments during military service. "I am most proud of my 69
ship earning the most recent Battle Effectiveness Award and 70
Retention Excellence Award," Walker said. "Both awards validated 71
our approach to leadership, training, and professional 72
development, as a culture, such that the way we did business was 73
always at a high standard. This also translated to multiple 74
promotions and achievements for dozens of sailors, which greatly 75
improved job satisfaction and serving with a purpose"; and 76
WHEREAS, Walker serves a Navy that operates far forward, 77
around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation's 78
prosperity and security. "After serving 29 years in the Navy, 79
this thought has evolved," Walker added. "At this point in my 80
career, I love the consistent opportunities to help others succeed 81
in the Navy"; and 82
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the United 83
States Navy in commending the career of a Mississippi naval 84
officer who has brought honor to his branch of service, his 85
community and to the State of Mississippi: 86
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF 87
MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize Commander Desmond Walker 88
of Hollandale, Mississippi, upon his receipt of the 45th Annual 89
Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Leadership Award, and extend to 90
S. R. No. 75 *SS36/R1611* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R1611
PAGE 5 (rdd\kr)
ST: Commend Commander Desmond Walker of
Hollandale, Mississippi.
Commander Walker and his family our best wishes on this high honor 91
and his future service. 92
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to 93
Commander Walker, forwarded to the Chief of Naval Operations of 94
the United States Navy and Mississippi's congressional delegation 95
and made available to the Capitol Press Corps. 96