78R10909 MMS-D

By:  Harper-Brown                                                 H.R. No. 722



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately express the sorrow felt at 
the loss of Staff Sergeant Phillip A. Jordan, who died in the Iraqi 
campaign on March 23, 2003, at the age of 42; and
	WHEREAS, A gunnery sergeant with the 1st Battalion, 2nd 
Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Sergeant Jordan 
died in an Iraqi ambush near An Nasiriyah in southern Iraq; and
	WHEREAS, During his 15-year career in the corps, Phillip 
Jordan served in the 1991 Persian Gulf War and in Kosovo; he spent 
three years at Camp Lejeune and three years as a drill sergeant on 
Parris Island before being assigned to Camp Lejeune again in the 
fall of 2002; and
	WHEREAS, Sergeant Jordan took great pride in the marines and 
in the contributions he was able to make to the corps, and for those 
who knew him, he represented the very best of that force; and
	WHEREAS, Highly respected for his professional ability, he 
was also fondly admired for his generosity, gentleness, and sturdy 
optimism; nicknamed Gump, after a popular film and literary 
character, he would readily go out of his way to help friends and 
strangers alike; and
	WHEREAS, Originally from Brazoria, Texas, Sergeant Jordan 
attended Furr High School in Houston and Alvin High School in Alvin 
before graduating from Clear Creek High School in League City in 
1980; while a student at Clear Creek, he played defensive end on the 
football team and also belonged to the track team, where he was a 
sprinter; and
	WHEREAS, In addition to the corps, Phillip Jordan also 
treasured his family, for whom his profound care and support knew no 
limit; he and his wife, Amanda, married in 1994 and several years 
later became the parents of a son, Tyler, now six years old; and
	WHEREAS, Americans owe an immeasurable debt to their military 
personnel, who have served valiantly throughout this country's 
history and whose efforts and sacrifice in their nation's behalf 
are deserving of their fellow citizens' deepest gratitude; and
	WHEREAS, Through his unfaltering devotion to duty, honor, and 
his country, Sergeant Jordan embodied the highest ideals of the 
armed service, and the blessing of his life will be forever 
cherished by those who were privileged to share his love and 
friendship; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Staff 
Sergeant Phillip A. Jordan and extend sincere sympathy to his wife, 
Amanda, and son, Tyler, and to his other relatives and many friends; 
and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of his family, and that when the Texas 
House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 
Staff Sergeant Phillip A. Jordan.