78R12730 MMS-D

By:  Chavez                                                       H.R. No. 920



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately express the sorrow felt at 
the loss of Private First Class Lori Ann Piestewa of Tuba City, 
Arizona, who died in the Iraqi campaign on March 23, 2003, at the 
age of 23; and
	WHEREAS, Private Piestewa, an automated logistics 
specialist, was one of nine soldiers from the army's 507th 
Maintenance Company who lost their lives in an ambush in southern 
Iraq; she was the first American servicewoman to be killed in that 
conflict and the first Hopi woman and first Native American woman to 
die in combat while serving in the United States armed forces; and
	WHEREAS, This courageous soldier was descended from the Bear 
clan, traditional leaders of the Hopi people; she herself showed  an 
aptitude for leadership at a young age, serving as commanding 
officer of the Junior ROTC while a student at Tuba City High School; 
when she joined the military two and a half years ago, she followed 
in the footsteps of her father, who served in Vietnam, and a 
grandfather who served in World War II; and
	WHEREAS, A strong woman who took pride in her Hopi heritage, 
Private Piestewa won affectionate respect for her levelheadedness 
and for her wide smile and friendly nature; she was an inspiring 
role model in the Hopi community and a loving, nurturing mother to 
her four-year-old son and three-year-old daughter; and
	WHEREAS, Americans owe an immeasurable debt to their military 
personnel, whose brave and steadfast efforts have long secured this 
nation's treasured freedom; through her unwavering devotion to 
duty, honor, and her country, Private Piestewa embodied the highest 
ideals of the United States armed forces, and the State of Texas and 
the nation now mourn the loss of a hero who made the ultimate 
sacrifice in her country's behalf and whose life was a blessing to 
all who were privileged to share her love and friendship; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Private First Class 
Lori Ann Piestewa and extend deep sympathy to the members of her 
family:  to her parents, Percy and Terry Piestewa; to her son, 
Brandon, and her daughter, Carla; and to the other relatives and 
many friends of this beloved American soldier; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas House 
of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Private 
First Class Lori Ann Piestewa.