79R8279 MAM-D

By:  Rose                                                         H.R. No. 674



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The family and friends of U.S. Army Specialist 
Viktar Yolkin of Central Texas suffered an immeasurable loss with 
the death of this beloved young man on January 24, 2005; and
	WHEREAS, Specialist Yolkin joined the army in January 2003 
and served as a combat vehicle driver and rifleman with the 2nd 
Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division; deployed 
to Iraq in March 2003, he was among five soldiers killed when an 
army Bradley Fighting Vehicle overturned in Khan Bani Saad, Iraq; 
and
	WHEREAS, This brave and valiant soldier grew up in Minsk, 
Belarus, and came to the United States to pursue an education; he 
lived in Canyon Lake before relocating to Wimberley and joining the 
army; and
	WHEREAS, Quietly competent and proud, Specialist Yolkin was 
an ideal serviceman; his steadfastness and humility endeared him to 
his friends and family, and his bravery inspired a community; and
	WHEREAS, Through his unwavering dedication to duty, honor, 
and the United States, Viktar Yolkin embodied the highest ideals of 
the armed services, and the memory of his love and friendship will 
always be treasured by those who were privileged to know him; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay special tribute to the life of U.S. Army 
Specialist Viktar Yolkin and extend deepest sympathy to the members 
of his family 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 U.S. Army 
Specialist Viktar Yolkin.