78R12372 MMS-D

By:  Gutierrez                                                    H.R. No. 877



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, After three weeks of fearful uncertainty about his 
safety and whereabouts, Texans across the state are profoundly 
thankful to learn that Army Support Specialist Edgar Adan Hernandez 
of Mission, who had been taken prisoner during the Iraqi campaign, 
has been rescued; and
	WHEREAS, Specialist Hernandez was among a group of soldiers 
from the 507th Maintenance Company, which was ambushed in southern 
Iraq on March 23, 2003; he and four other survivors of the attack 
were held in solitary confinement in Baghdad for 12 to 15 days 
before being moved to a series of other locations; they were rescued 
on April 13, 2003, by Marines with the 3rd Light Armored 
Reconnaissance Battalion who were moving northward toward Tikrit; 
and
	WHEREAS, This courageous Texan joined the army after 
graduating from Mission High School and was stationed at Fort Bliss 
before his deployment to the Persian Gulf; while assigned to Fort 
Bliss, he joined the congregation of the Chaparral Apostolic 
Church, and during his ordeal in captivity family and friends took 
some measure of comfort in knowing that his strong faith would 
sustain him; and
	WHEREAS, Due to be released from the service in a few months' 
time, Specialist Hernandez is hoping to join the U.S. Border 
Patrol, marry, and settle in El Paso; and
	WHEREAS, Through his deep devotion to his country and his 
selfless efforts and sacrifice in its behalf, Specialist Hernandez 
has earned the lasting respect and gratitude of all Americans, and 
his rescue is indeed cause for joyful celebration; now, therefore, 
be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor Army Support Specialist Edgar Adan 
Hernandez on the occasion of his release from captivity in Iraq and 
extend to him sincere appreciation for his brave and steadfast 
service in the cause of freedom and democracy; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Specialist Hernandez as an expression of high regard 
by the Texas House of Representatives.