80R11863 JNC-D

By: Christian H.R. No. 971

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The friends and family of U.S. Army Private First Class Travis Wayne Buford suffered an immeasurable loss with the death of this valiant soldier on February 23, 2007, at the age of 23; and

WHEREAS, Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Private Buford was mortally wounded while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom in Ramadi, Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Eager to serve his country, Private Buford joined the Army with his best friend and cousin, Joshua Thompson, and was subsequently stationed in Colorado; despite the dangerous nature of his assignment, he took pride in his work and his distinguished service earned him the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal; and

WHEREAS, Private Buford was devoted to his family and friends; in his free time, he enjoyed riding four-wheelers and playing golf with his father; 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 Travis Buford for the service he undertook and the sacrifice he rendered; and

WHEREAS, Through his selfless devotion to duty, honor, and his country, Travis Wayne Buford embodied the highest ideals of the armed services, and his memory will be forever treasured by those who shared in the blessing of his life; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Private First Class Travis Wayne Buford and extend sincere sympathy to his mother, Janet Buford; to his father, Anthony Buford; and to all those who mourn the passing of this beloved young Texan; 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 Travis Wayne Buford.