R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, On October 12, 2000, United States Navy fireman Gary
 1-2     Graham Swenchonis, Jr., was killed in the line of duty while
 1-3     serving aboard the USS Cole, and we join his family and friends in
 1-4     mourning their profound loss; and
 1-5           WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mr. Swenchonis, 26, graduated from
 1-6     Rockport-Fulton High School in 1994, where he was a manager for the
 1-7     Fighting Pirates' football team, and began his military career as
 1-8     an automated logistical specialist in the U.S. Army before joining
 1-9     the navy on January 14, 1999; and
1-10           WHEREAS, He was a model sailor who upheld the navy's
1-11     time-honored code of honor, courage, and commitment; the navy has
1-12     posthumously awarded him the Purple Heart, a decoration given to
1-13     those who are wounded in action; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure in the military,
1-15     Mr. Swenchonis received numerous commendations and accolades,
1-16     including the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal,
1-17     Army Service Medal, and Army Achievement Medal; in addition, he was
1-18     recognized by the quartermaster general for his formal affiliation
1-19     with the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps Regiment; and
1-20           WHEREAS, During his life, Mr. Swenchonis distinguished
1-21     himself as an individual of upstanding character and integrity; his
1-22     dedication and loyalty speaks volumes about this intrepid
1-23     gentleman's desire to serve his country; and
1-24           WHEREAS, Mr. Swenchonis, one of the 17 sailors who died as a
 2-1     result of the suicide bomb attack on the USS Cole in Aden, Yemen,
 2-2     was honored in a ceremony that is held annually at Arlington
 2-3     National Cemetery as a memorial for victims of terrorism; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, Although his life was tragically cut short,
 2-5     Mr. Swenchonis's bright spirit will live on in the hearts and minds
 2-6     of the countless people whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be
 2-7     it
 2-8           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-9     Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Gary Graham
2-10     Swenchonis, Jr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
2-11     family:  to his parents, Deborah and Gary Swenchonis, Sr.; to his
2-12     sister and brother-in-law, Shalala and Carlton Wood; and to the
2-13     many other relatives and friends of this brave gentleman; and, be
2-14     it further
2-15           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-16     prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
2-17     House of Representatives adjourns for the day, it do so in memory
2-18     of Gary Graham Swenchonis, Jr.
                                                                      Seaman
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 143 was unanimously adopted by a
         rising vote of the House on February 21, 2001.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House