79R18356 JNC-D

By:  Uresti                                                       H.R. No. 2113



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The family and friends of U.S. Marine Corps Reserve 
Sergeant Aaron Nathaniel Cepeda, Sr., of San Antonio have suffered 
an immeasurable loss with his death on May 7, 2005, at the age of 22; 
and
	WHEREAS, Killed in the performance of his duties in Iraq, 
Sergeant Cepeda was deployed in March 2005 as a member of the 4th 
Reconnaissance Battalion; he demonstrated steadfast courage and 
unwavering commitment to his missions, and for his noble efforts 
earned the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on 
Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Selected Marine Corps 
Reserve Medal; and
	WHEREAS, Sergeant Cepeda graduated from Health Careers High 
School in 1999, enlisting in the reserves in November of that same 
year; he went on to earn his bachelor's degree in biology from Texas 
A&M University--Corpus Christi and hoped to one day attend medical 
school; and
	WHEREAS, Americans owe an immeasurable debt to their military 
personnel, who have long secured this nation's freedom; through his 
unwavering devotion to duty, honor, and his country, Sergeant 
Cepeda embodied the highest ideals of the United States armed 
forces, and the State of Texas and the nation now mourn the loss of a 
hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in behalf of his country and 
whose life was a treasured blessing to all who were privileged to 
share his love and friendship; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Sergeant Aaron 
Nathaniel Cepeda, Sr., and extend sincere sympathy to the members 
of his family: to his wife, Ella M. Cepeda; to his son, Aaron 
Nathaniel Cepeda, Jr.; to his daughter, Journee Bre-Kayleen Cepeda; 
to his parents, Michael and Diana Cepeda; to his maternal 
grandmother, Grace Mata; to his half-sister, Dolores Medina and her 
husband, Henry; to his half-brother, Michael S. Cepeda, Jr., and 
his wife, Jeanette; to his goddaughter, Amberly Mendiola; 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. Marine 
Corps Reserve Sergeant Aaron Nathaniel Cepeda, Sr.