By Seaman H.R. No. 143 77R1967 MJS-D 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.