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78R15326 MMS-D

By:  Chavez                                                       H.R. No. 1276



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Citizens across this state and nation are profoundly 
thankful for the safe recovery of Private First Class Patrick Wayne 
Miller of Park City, Kansas, who was taken prisoner during the Iraqi 
campaign and held for three harrowing weeks; and
	WHEREAS, Private Miller 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, Stationed at Fort Bliss, Private Miller deployed 
with his unit to the Persian Gulf on February 17, 2003; during the 
dark and uncertain days while he was held prisoner, his family and 
friends found a degree of comfort in knowing that he would be able 
to draw on his strong will and determination to help see him 
through; and
	WHEREAS, This courageous soldier grew up in Valley Center, 
Kansas, and graduated from Valley Center High School in 1998; he and 
his wife, Jessa, are the proud parents of a son, Tyler, and 
daughter, Makenzie; and
	WHEREAS, Friends and former neighbors in Valley Center held a 
parade in Private Miller's honor on May 10, 2003, and Kansas 
governor Kathleen Sebelius and the Kansas Legislature have 
expressed a personal welcome to him at the Statehouse in Topeka; and
	WHEREAS, The sacrifices made by Private Miller 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 return; 
now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor Private First Class Patrick Wayne Miller 
on the joyful occasion of his return from Iraq and extend to him 
deep 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 Private Miller as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.