78R15317 MMS-D

By:  Chavez                                                       H.R. No. 1274



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Texans across the state are profoundly thankful for 
the safe recovery of U.S. Army Specialist Joseph Neal Hudson of 
Alamogordo, New Mexico, who was taken prisoner during the Iraqi 
campaign and held for three harrowing weeks; and
	WHEREAS, Specialist Hudson was among a group of soldiers from 
the 507th Maintenance Company that 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 advancing toward Tikrit; and
	WHEREAS, The son of a military family, Specialist Hudson was 
raised in New Mexico and in Florida; he graduated from Alamogordo 
High School in 1998 and three years ago married another former 
Alamogordo student, Natalie Hudson; he and his wife are the proud 
parents of a daughter, Cameron; and
	WHEREAS, Stationed at Fort Bliss, Joseph Hudson deployed with 
his unit to the Persian Gulf on February 17, 2003; upon his return 
home, hundreds of Alamogordo citizens turned out to welcome him 
with a parade, and New Mexico governor Bill Richardson presented 
him with the Spirit of New Mexico Award, the state's highest honor, 
for his heroism; and
	WHEREAS, The sacrifices made by Specialist Hudson and his 
fellow soldiers while serving their country in Iraq have earned the 
heartfelt gratitude of all Americans, who now join his family, 
friends, and members of this body in applauding his safe and 
anxiously awaited return; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor Army Specialist Joseph Neal Hudson on the 
joyful occasion of his return from Iraq and extend to him sincere 
appreciation for his brave and steadfast service in his country's 
behalf; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Specialist Hudson as an expression of high regard by 
the Texas House of Representatives.