79R19795 BJM-D

By:  Phillips                                                     H.R. No. 2134



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Sergeant Michael Luke Boatright of the United States 
Army served this country with exceptional valor and gave his life in 
its cause in Iraq on December 4, 2004, at the age of 24; and
	WHEREAS, Assigned to Company B, 20th Combat Engineer 
Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Sergeant Boatright 
was deployed to Iraq in March 2004, and he had previously served in 
Bosnia; and
	WHEREAS, Sergeant Boatright grew up in Frisco and attended 
Frisco High School, where he was active in FFA and participated in 
rodeos, and he was a valued member of the First Baptist Church and 
its youth group; described by his friends as "just an ordinary 
country boy," he enjoyed music and rodeos and was an animal lover; 
and
	WHEREAS, Our state and our 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 women, whose valiant efforts and 
enormous sacrifices are deserving of their fellow citizens' deepest 
respect and gratitude; and
	WHEREAS, Beloved husband, father, and son, Luke Boatright was 
far from ordinary and he is remembered by all who knew him for his 
winning smile, his generosity of spirit, and his courage; although 
he will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and fellow 
soldiers, his bravery and his heroism will not be forgotten; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Sergeant Michael Luke 
Boatright and extend profound sympathy to the members of his 
family: to his wife, Desty Boatright; to his children, Colton, 
Tanna, and Zoie Boatright; to his mother, Candace Sons; to his 
father, Michael Boatright, Sr.; to his sisters, Tracy Paige and 
Chelsea Mince; to his brother, Marcus Mince; 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 Sergeant 
Michael Luke Boatright.