H.R. No. 523



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Marine Staff Sergeant Michael L. Youngblood of 
Gilmer has been awarded a Combat Distinguishing Device for his 
valiant actions in Saudi Arabia; and
	WHEREAS, Sergeant Youngblood was serving as detachment 
commander of the Marine Security Guard Detachment in Jeddah, Saudi 
Arabia, on December 6, 2004, when five heavily armed terrorists 
attacked the United States Consulate in that city; armed with 
automatic weapons, improvised explosive devices, and incendiary 
devices, the terrorists gained entrance to the embassy compound in 
a coordinated assault that began about 11 a.m.; and
	WHEREAS, Before the terrorists could enter the consulate 
itself, however, the Marines succeeded in locking down the 
building; then, under sustained small arms fire, Sergeant 
Youngblood moved his Marines from their quarters to the consulate, 
where they manned defensive positions while also clearing the 
building and moving embassy personnel to safety; during this 
operation, Sergeant Youngblood engaged one of the attackers and 
repelled the terrorist with gunfire; and
	WHEREAS, Once the building was cleared and all American 
citizens and other designated personnel had reached safety, 
Sergeant Youngblood withdrew his Marines from their defensive 
positions to the safe haven, which he himself was the last to enter; 
and
	WHEREAS, Under Sergeant Youngblood's expert direction, the 
Marines used classic textbook procedures for securing the 
consulate, manning defensive positions, and clearing the building, 
and his and his unit's actions undoubtedly saved the lives of many 
Americans and foreign nationals employed at the consulate; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Marine Staff Sergeant Michael L. 
Youngblood on his receipt of the Combat Distinguishing Device and 
extend to him profound appreciation for his courageous service in 
behalf of this country; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Sergeant Youngblood as an expression of high regard by 
the Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                          Hughes

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 523 was adopted by the House on March 
23, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House