79R8164 JHS-D

By:  Menendez                                                     H.R. No. 724



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, San Antonio native Ray Rangel, a U.S. Air Force 
staff sergeant and firefighter, died in the line of duty on February 
13, 2005, on a rescue mission in Iraq, and he leaves behind a loving 
family and many friends; and
	WHEREAS, A 1994 graduate of South San Antonio High School, 
the 29-year-old airman was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base near 
Abilene and was deployed to Iraq with the 7th Civil Engineering 
Squadron; he died while attempting to save the lives of several of 
his fellow servicemen; and
	WHEREAS, Sergeant Rangel enlisted in the air force shortly 
after his high school graduation; he and Selena, his wife of 10 
years, were blessed with three sons and a daughter; an avid football 
fan, he played defensive back for the South San Antonio High School 
Bobcats and coached his eldest son's youth football team in 
Abilene, where he and his wife had purchased a home; and
	WHEREAS, Words cannot lessen the grief felt by the family and 
friends of this heroic Texan, but those who knew and loved him may 
take comfort in the knowledge that he died bravely and was proud to 
be serving his nation; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Staff Sergeant Ray 
Rangel and extend deepest sympathy to his family: to his wife, 
Selena Rangel; to his children, Justin, Jacob, Gabriel, and 
Lilliana Rangel; to his parents, Federico and Cynthia Rangel; to 
his sisters, Rebecca Lugo, Melissa Esquivel, and Priscilla Rangel; 
to his grandparents, Eduarda and Jose Carreon; and to the many other 
relatives and friends of this courageous American; and, be it 
further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas House 
of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of U.S. Air 
Force Staff Sergeant Ray Rangel.