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79R19313 JNC-D
By: Eiland H.R. No. 2080
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 Belvieu; 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.