A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Honoring the life and work of Captain Kenith Franks of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
WHEREAS, Captain Franks served in the United States Army from 1985 through 1995. Thereafter, he commenced his service with the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety (OSTDPS); and
WHEREAS, Captain Franks worked in corrections, completed federal law enforcement training, became an OSTDPS patrol officer in January 1998, became an OSTDPS sergeant in January 2004, and transitioned to a highway safety officer in May 2011 all in his twenty-four years of service with OSTDPS. Captain Franks has managed the highway safety program as the captain of the highway safety division for the last ten years; and
WHEREAS, Captain Franks received numerous awards and recognition during his career in public safety, including the National Administrators Public Service Award by the Federal Highway Administration, the OSTDPS Gold Star Unit Award in 2012, the Indian Highway Safety Division Excellence in Public Safety Award in 2018, and the OSTDPS Highway Safety Appreciation Award in 2019; and
WHEREAS, Captain Franks was an ambassador for OSTDPS by representing Indian Country at National Highway Safety conferences; and
WHEREAS, Captain Franks was a leader in the community by educating the youth on the safety of seat belts and car seats as well as his involvement with little league baseball and basketball; and
WHEREAS, Captain Franks was appreciated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe community and his presence will be missed:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the Ninety-Sixth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that the Legislature honors and commends Captain Kenith Franks on his accomplishments and contributions to the state of South Dakota.