H.R. No. 157



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Marine Lance Corporal Jon Ratcliff has returned to 
the United States after serving valiantly in the Iraqi campaign; 
and
	WHEREAS, During that conflict, Lance Corporal Ratcliff saw 
action with the communications platoon of headquarters battery, 1st 
Battalion, 11th Regiment, of the 1st Marine Division; advancing a 
mile or two behind the frontline troops, he was charged with 
relaying coordinates for artillery targets to Marines operating 155 
mm howitzers; over the course of the three-week push to Baghdad, his 
unit encountered one ambush and fortunately sustained only one 
injury; and
	WHEREAS, A two-year Marine veteran, Lance Corporal Ratcliff 
joined the corps in 2001, several months before the terrorist 
attacks of September 11; from his youth, this fine young man 
anticipated following in the footsteps of his father and members of 
three generations on his mother's side, all of whom served in the 
military; he earned a diploma from Bowie High School in Austin and 
worked with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department before his 
enlistment; and
	WHEREAS, Numerous friends and relatives welcomed Lance 
Corporal Ratcliff back to the States with a joyous celebration in 
his honor on July 19, 2003; the gathering also paid tribute to 
coalition troops still stationed in Iraq and to those who lost their 
lives in that conflict; and
	WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Ratcliff has demonstrated a resolute 
commitment to duty, honor, and this country, and he has risked his 
life to bring freedom and security to others; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby commend Marine Lance 
Corporal Jon Ratcliff for embodying the highest ideals of the armed 
forces and extend to him sincere appreciation for his brave and 
steadfast efforts; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Lance Corporal Ratcliff as an expression of high 
regard by the Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                            Rose

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 157 was adopted by the House on July 
25, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House