79R8221 JNC-D

By:  Keel                                                         H.R. No. 579



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately express the heartache felt 
at the loss of Lance Corporal Nicholas Samuel Valdez Perez of 
Austin, who was killed in action in Iraq on September 3, 2004, at 
the age of 19; and
	WHEREAS, A dedicated young man in the United States Marine 
Corps, Lance Corporal Perez was mortally injured by insurgents 
while conducting a military maneuver west of Baghdad in Al Anbar 
Province; and
	WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Perez was born and raised in Austin 
and graduated with honors from Travis High School in 2003; he 
participated in a number of sports, especially baseball and golf, 
while growing up in the Capitol City, and he enjoyed video games, 
dancing, fishing, skiing, movies, and travel; and
	WHEREAS, He was also a gifted swimmer and worked as a 
lifeguard for the City of Austin Aquatics, where his extraordinary 
skill allowed him to begin service as a Lifeguard II and quickly 
earned him promotion to Lifeguard III; during his tenure with the 
department, Lance Corporal Perez received American Red Cross 
certifications in CPR, lifeguard training, and first aid; he was a 
valued employee, and his coworkers admired his strong work ethic 
and dependability; and
	WHEREAS, Since the age of nine, Nicholas Perez dreamed of 
joining the Marines; he became a member of the Navy Junior Reserve 
Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) program in high school and enlisted 
in the corps in July 2003; and
	WHEREAS, Despite the dangerous nature of his assignment in 
Iraq, this brave Texan took great pride in his work and was 
committed to fulfilling his mission to the very best of his ability; 
courageous and steadfast, he earned an Expert Rifleman Badge, the 
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Sea Service 
Deployment Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, and the 
Purple Heart; and
	WHEREAS, Above all else, Nicholas Perez cherished his faith 
and his family, and his warm heart, outgoing nature, and fun-loving 
spirit will be sorely missed; and
	WHEREAS, Our state and nation are fortunate to have young men 
and women whose love of country leads them to military duty, and 
time can never diminish the profound debt that Americans owe to 
Lance Corporal Perez for the service he undertook and the sacrifice 
he rendered; and
	WHEREAS, The thoughts and prayers of many go out to the family 
of this beloved young man; he was a Marine of honor and valor, and 
those who knew and cherished him will forever carry him close in 
their hearts; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of Lance 
Corporal Nicholas Samuel Valdez Perez and extend deepest sympathy 
to the members of his family: to his mother, Yolanda Valdez; to his 
father, Samuel Perez; to his sister, U.S. Marine Lance Corporal 
Briana Y. Perez; and to his other relatives and many friends; and, 
be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of 
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Lance 
Corporal Nicholas Samuel Valdez Perez.