78R15323 MMS-D

By:  Chavez                                                       H.R. No. 1277



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 U.S. Army Sergeant James J. Riley 
of Pennsauken, New Jersey, who was taken prisoner during the Iraqi 
campaign and held for three harrowing weeks; and
	WHEREAS, Sergeant Riley 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, This courageous, 13-year veteran was born in New 
Zealand and moved with his family to New Jersey when he was 10; 
interested in a military career from the time he was a boy, he 
joined the service after graduating from Pennsauken High School and 
has served his nation with integrity and devotion; his assignments 
have included two tours of duty in Korea and one in Saudi Arabia; 
and
	WHEREAS, On returning home from his ordeal in the Iraqi war, 
Sergeant Riley was honored with a parade in Pennsauken and an 
evening ceremony that drew thousands of well-wishers; among those 
who took the stage to formally pay tribute to him and to all of those 
serving in the armed forces were New Jersey's two U.S. senators and 
Governor James E. McGreevey, who presented Sergeant Riley with the 
New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal; and
	WHEREAS, The sacrifices made by Sergeant Riley and his fellow 
soldiers have earned the heartfelt gratitude of all Americans, who 
now join his family, his friends, and the members of this body in 
celebrating his safe deliverance from captivity; now, therefore, be 
it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor Sergeant James J. Riley of the United 
States Army on the joyful occasion of his return from Iraq and 
extend to him deep appreciation for his brave and steadfast service 
in this nation's behalf; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Sergeant Riley as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.