1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 308
 1-3                                  In Memory
 1-4                                     of
 1-5                         Gary Graham Swenchonis, Jr.
 1-6           WHEREAS, On October 12, 2000, United States Navy fireman
 1-7     Gary Graham Swenchonis, Jr., was killed in the line of duty while
 1-8     serving aboard the USS Cole, and we join his family and
 1-9     friends in mourning their profound loss; and
1-10           WHEREAS, A native Texan, Mr. Swenchonis, 26, graduated from
1-11     Rockport-Fulton High School in 1994, where he was a manager for the
1-12     Fighting Pirates football team, and began his military career as an
1-13     automated logistical specialist in the United States Army before
1-14     joining the navy on January 14, 1999; and
1-15           WHEREAS, He was a model sailor who upheld the navy's
1-16     time-honored code of honor, courage, and commitment; the navy has
1-17     posthumously awarded him the Purple Heart, a decoration given to
1-18     those who are wounded in action; and
1-19           WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure in the military,
1-20     Mr. Swenchonis received numerous commendations and accolades,
1-21     including the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal,
 2-1     Army Service Medal, and Army Achievement Medal; in addition, he was
 2-2     recognized by the quartermaster general for his formal affiliation
 2-3     with the United States Army Quartermaster Corps Regiment; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, During his life, Mr. Swenchonis distinguished
 2-5     himself as an individual of upstanding character and integrity;
 2-6     his dedication and loyalty speaks volumes about this intrepid
 2-7     gentleman's desire to serve his country; and
 2-8           WHEREAS, Mr. Swenchonis, one of the 17 sailors who died
 2-9     as a result of the suicide bomb attack on the USS Cole in
2-10     Aden, Yemen, was honored in a ceremony that is held annually at
2-11     Arlington National Cemetery as a memorial for victims of terrorism;
2-12     and
2-13           WHEREAS, Although his life was tragically cut short,
2-14     Mr. Swenchonis's bright spirit will live on in the hearts and
2-15     minds of the countless people whose lives he touched; now,
2-16     therefore, be it
2-17           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-18     77th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of
2-19     Gary Graham Swenchonis, Jr., and extend sincere sympathy
2-20     to the members of his family:  his parents, Deborah and
2-21     Gary Swenchonis, Sr.; his sister and brother-in-law, Shalala
2-22     and Carlton Wood; and the many other relatives and friends of
2-23     this brave gentleman; and, be it further
2-24           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
 3-1     prepared for the members of his family as an expression of deepest
 3-2     sympathy from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns
 3-3     this day, it do so in memory of Gary Graham Swenchonis, Jr.
 3-4                                                              Armbrister
 3-5                                  ______________________________________
 3-6                                         President of the Senate
 3-7                                       I hereby certify that the above
 3-8                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
 3-9                                  on February 21, 2001, by a rising vote.
3-10                                  ______________________________________
3-11                                         Secretary of the Senate
3-12                                  ______________________________________
3-13                                           Member, Texas Senate