H.R. No. 2066



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately express the heartache felt 
at the loss of U.S. Army Private First Class Wesley Robert Riggs of 
Beach City, who died in Iraq on May 17, 2005, at the age of 19; and
	WHEREAS, A member of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry 
Regiment, Private Riggs was mortally injured by a roadside bomb 
while conducting a patrol near Tikrit; 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 the Army Service Ribbon, Global 
War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, 
the Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart; and
	WHEREAS, Private Riggs graduated from Barbers Hill High 
School in 2003; he enlisted in the armed services in February 2004 
and hoped to one day pursue a career in law enforcement; and
	WHEREAS, Known for his love of fishing, spending time on the 
water, and mudding in his Tahoe Z71, he was a member of the Team 
Houston Olympic weight-lifting team and of Holy Trinity Catholic 
Church in Mont Belieu; 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 
Wesley Robert Riggs 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 soldier 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 tribute to the life of Private First Class 
Wesley Robert Riggs and extend deepest sympathy to the members of 
his family: to his fiancé, Christina Dew; to his parents, Daniel and 
Vicki Riggs, Gayle McDermott and Roy Chavez, and Robert McDermott; 
to his brothers, Patrick and Kevin McDermott, Daniel Riggs II, and 
J. William and Justin Kirk; to his grandparents, Jared and Helen 
Riggs, Sally Cobb, Martha and Eddie Barthomley, and Phillip and 
Connie Sterling; 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 U.S. Army 
Private First Class Wesley Robert Riggs.

                                                                          Eiland


                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 2066 was unanimously adopted by a 
rising vote of the House on May 27, 2005.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House