79R9491 KO-D

By:  Gallego                                                      H.R. No. 915



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The family and friends of U.S. Army Specialist 
Travis Allen Babbitt of Sabinal suffered an immeasurable loss with 
the death of this courageous soldier in Iraq on November 9, 2004, at 
the age of 24; and
	WHEREAS, Born on March 4, 1980, in Lebanon, Missouri, Mr. 
Babbitt graduated from Uvalde High School in 1998; he married Anita 
Ortiz on October 15, 1999, and became the devoted father of three 
children; and
	WHEREAS, Specialist Babbitt had initially served in the army 
for four years before reenlisting for six more years, intending to 
make the army his career; he was deployed to Iraq in March 2004 and, 
after a brief visit home in September, returned on October 11; and
	WHEREAS, Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 
1st Cavalry Division, Specialist Babbitt was killed when his patrol 
was attacked by enemy forces in Baghdad; despite being mortally 
wounded, this brave young Texan managed to return fire before 
collapsing, saving the lives of his fellow soldiers in the process; 
and
	WHEREAS, A PBS Frontline episode titled "A Company of 
Soldiers" documented the activities of Specialist Babbitt's unit, 
Dog Company, and revealed the deep sadness that the members of his 
company felt at the news of his death; although his passing has 
brought great sorrow to his family, friends, and fellow soldiers, 
his heroism will always be remembered; and
	WHEREAS, Our state and nation are fortunate to have young men 
and women whose love for their country inspires them to military 
service, yet the tragic death of this exemplary young man is a 
sobering reminder of the cost of war; Americans owe a profound debt 
to our nation's servicemen and servicewomen, whose valiant efforts 
and enormous sacrifices are deserving of their fellow citizens' 
deepest respect and gratitude; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Specialist Travis 
Allen Babbitt, United States Army, and extend profound sympathy to 
the members of his family: to his wife, Anita; to his children, 
Unique, Serenity, and Diego; to his mother, Kathy Hernandez, and 
her husband, Barney; to his sister, Crystal Lambert; to his two 
nieces; and to his other relatives and friends; 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. 
Army Specialist Travis Allen Babbitt.