2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25104632D

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 223

Offered January 27, 2025

Commending Major General Cedric Terry Wins, USA, Ret.

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Patrons—Carroll Foy and Deeds

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WHEREAS, Major General Cedric Terry Wins, USA, Ret., an honorable veteran and the 15th superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, has greatly served the country and the Commonwealth for many years; and

WHEREAS, Cedric Wins graduated from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) with a bachelor's degree in economics in 1985 and was commissioned as a field artillery officer in July of that year; and

WHEREAS, following his field artillery officer basic and advanced courses, Cedric Wins continued with the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; today, he holds a master's degree in national security and strategic studies from the National War College and a master's degree in management from the Florida Institute of Technology; and

WHEREAS, Cedric Wins was deployed on numerous occasions over his 34-year career with the United States Army, including with Task Force Sinai in Egypt, as an operations officer at headquarters with the 5th Battalion, 21st Infantry, as a program executive officer with the Afghanistan Public Protection Force, and as a member of the Combined Security Transition Command in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom; and

WHEREAS, Cedric Wins was stationed around the world throughout his military career, including at Fort Ord, California; with the 2nd Infantry Division, Eighth United States Army in Korea; at headquarters with the Department of the Army and the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon; with the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas; with U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; and with the Requirement Integration Directorate of the Army Capabilities Integration Center at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Cedric Wins has held leadership and staff assignments in the 7th Infantry Division (Light) and the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8, where he served as director of force development; and

WHEREAS, Cedric Wins was notably the last commander of the Research, Development and Engineering Command and oversaw its transition into the Army Futures Command as it was reestablished as the Combat Capabilities Development Command; he then served as the new unit's first commander, overseeing approximately 13,000 people serving in science and technology or research, development, test, and evaluation capacities; and

WHEREAS, Cedric Wins has been decorated with a plethora of awards and badges for his exemplary service, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster; and

WHEREAS, Cedric Wins retired from the United States Army on November 6, 2019; he was then appointed interim superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute on November 13, 2020, and was appointed the 15th superintendent of the school following the VMI Board of Visitors' unanimous approval on April 15, 2021, becoming the first African American to serve as superintendent of VMI in the school's history; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Major General Cedric Terry Wins, USA, Ret., the 15th superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, hereby be commended for his legacy of service; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Major General Cedric Terry Wins, USA, Ret., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for his contributions to the country and the Commonwealth and best wishes for his future endeavors.