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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The friends and family of Texas Army National Guard |
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Sergeant First Class Tommy I. Folks, Jr., suffered an immeasurable |
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loss with the death of this valiant soldier on October 18, 2005, at |
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the age of 31; and |
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WHEREAS, Sergeant Folks was killed while bravely serving his |
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country during combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq, as a member of |
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Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry; and |
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WHEREAS, A longtime resident of Amarillo, Sergeant Folks |
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graduated from Amarillo High School, where he was a member of the |
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National Honor Society, manager of the basketball team, and a |
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two-year letterman in soccer; he went on to attend the University of |
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North Texas before joining the U.S. Army in 1994; and |
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WHEREAS, During his military career, he served in Germany |
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with the 7th Army Training Command, where his ability and |
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determination earned him the title of Soldier of the Year 1998; he |
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later served in Afghanistan before transferring to the Texas |
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National Guard; and |
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WHEREAS, This beloved son and brother remained devoted to |
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serving his country despite the dangerous nature of his mission; |
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his heroic efforts earned him a posthumous promotion to the |
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position of sergeant first class as well as a number of accolades, |
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including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with |
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four Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal with one Oak Leaf |
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Cluster, and National Defense Service Medal; and |
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WHEREAS, Before his final deployment, Sergeant Folks had |
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enrolled at West Texas A&M in Canyon; a member of the school's |
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President's Honor Roll, he was studying to become a teacher and |
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coach; and |
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WHEREAS, Exemplifying the highest ideals of the U.S. armed |
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forces, Tommy Folks inspired others with his fortitude, tenacity, |
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and courage; although his passing leaves a void in the lives of |
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those who were fortunate to know him, they will forever carry |
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memories of this heroic Texan close in their hearts; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Tommy I. Folks and |
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extend sincere sympathy to all those who mourn the passing of this |
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courageous Texan; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of |
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Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Sergeant |
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First Class Tommy I. Folks, Jr. |