By Uresti H.C.R. No. 232 76R12062 BE-D HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1-1 WHEREAS, It is with deepest respect and prayerful hope that 1-2 the members of the 76th Texas Legislature honor the three American 1-3 soldiers currently being held in Yugoslavia: U.S. Army Specialist 1-4 Steven M. Gonzales of Huntsville, Texas, and U.S. Army staff 1-5 sergeants Andrew A. Ramirez, of Los Angeles, California, and 1-6 Christopher James Stone, of Smiths Creek, Michigan; and 1-7 WHEREAS, All three soldiers are assigned with B Troop, 1st 1-8 Squadron, 4th Cavalry of the 1st Infantry Division, stationed in 1-9 Schweinfurt, Germany; as part of a multinational force of NATO 1-10 members to resolve the conflict in Kosovo, the troop was 1-11 reassigned to neighboring Macedonia to secure that country's border 1-12 with the Serbian province; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Originally listed as detainees, the soldiers' status 1-14 was changed to prisoners of war on April 1, 1999; and while 1-15 questions have arisen regarding the legitimacy of the soldiers' 1-16 capture and continued imprisonment, Yugoslavia and its republic of 1-17 Serbia are morally bound and have verbally committed themselves to 1-18 the terms of the Geneva Convention; and 1-19 WHEREAS, It is the most fervent hope of the Texas 1-20 Legislature, and indeed all Texans, that these United States 1-21 citizens will be released by the Yugoslavian government 1-22 immediately; until that happy event, council halls, homes, and 1-23 churches across the Lone Star State will continue to echo with 1-24 prayers and messages of support for our soldiers overseas; now, 2-1 therefore, be it 2-2 RESOLVED, That the 76th Legislature of the State of Texas 2-3 hereby pay tribute to Stephen M. Gonzales, Andrew A. Ramirez, and 2-4 Christopher James Stone, United States soldiers currently being 2-5 held by Yugoslavian forces, and extend to these brave Americans and 2-6 their families profound wishes for freedom and reunion; and, be it 2-7 further 2-8 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-9 prepared for each of these three patriots as an expression of 2-10 highest regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.