2003S1998-1 04/22/04


By:  Madla                                                      S.C.R. No. 2  



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, The Legislature of the State of Texas joins the 
citizens of Rocksprings in mourning the loss of United States Army 
Sergeant William Cody Eckhart, who died April 10, 2004, at the age 
of 25 while serving his country during Operation Iraqi Freedom; and
	WHEREAS, William Cody Eckhart was born September 21, 1978, in 
Hondo; he grew up in Rocksprings and graduated from Rocksprings 
High School in 1997; he was active in Boy Scouts, 4-H, Future 
Farmers of America, and athletics; he was a member of the 1997 boys 
Class 1A state cross country championship team; and
	WHEREAS, Cody enlisted in the army as a cavalry scout and 
received his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky; he was 
transferred to Fort Carson, Colorado, and participated in a 
rotation to Egypt in Operation Bright Star; he was later sent on 
peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Kosovo; and
	WHEREAS, In February of 2004, he was deployed to Iraq and was 
providing reconnaissance for F Troop, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry 
Division, when he died in action on behalf of his country's mission; 
and
	WHEREAS, Sergeant Eckhart was a first-class soldier who was 
noted for his expertise and whose accomplishments were many; he 
earned the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, 
National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War 
on Terrorism Service Medal, and the NATO Medal; he is being 
posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the 
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; and
	WHEREAS, Sergeant William Cody Eckhart was a brave and 
courageous soldier who risked his life so that others could be free; 
he was a devoted son and brother and a true American hero, and he 
leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by those 
whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas, 
4th Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of William Cody 
Eckhart and extend sincere condolences to his bereaved family:  his 
parents, Ronnie and Terri Eckhart; his sisters, Staci and Erin 
Eckhart; his paternal grandmother, Dorothy Eckhart; his maternal 
grandparents, William and Roselyn White; and his many aunts, 
uncles, and cousins; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared for his  
family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas 
Legislature, and that when the legislature adjourns this day, it do 
so in memory of William Cody Eckhart.