UNITED STATES Attorney Dunn Lampton announced the presentation of annual awards recognizing outstanding achievement during 2006 in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi.

 

The awards are presented each year to members of the U.S. Attorney's Office staff who performed above and beyond the call of duty during the preceding calendar year. Additionally, a new award was created this year and named after former United States Attorney George L. Phillips. This award is given to a person outside the United States Attorney's Office who has contributed significantly in assisting the law enforcement coordination and community out reach programs of the U.S. Attorney's Office.

 

The first annual George L. Phillips Distinguished Community Support Award was presented to Delbert Hosemann. "This award was created because I saw the need to recognize those persons not in my office who contribute substantially to our office's success and credibility. I chose Delbert Hosemann to be the first recipient of this award because of Mr. Hosemann's consistent and outstanding support for law enforcement in general, and the U.S. Attorney's Office in particular," said U.S. Attorney Lampton.

 

Hosemann was initially asked by Lampton to chair the Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force, which he has done for the past five years. In this capacity he has overseen the disbursement of more than $400,000 to the Jackson Police Department.

 

THIS AWARD IS ALSO in recognition of Hosemann's efforts as director for "Back the Badge," a project designed to raise money for first responders whose homes were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, but who either had no insurance coverage to compensate them for their loss, or their insurance claims were denied. Hosemann, and attorney created a 501(c)(3) corporation to receive the contribution and manage the disbursement of the relief funds, which totaled $555, 424.96.