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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The life of a valiant and promising young Texan was |
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taken when U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class Ronchester Mananga |
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Santiago was killed in the terrorist attack on the USS Cole on |
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October 12, 2000, but the memory of this brave sailor who made the |
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ultimate sacrifice for his country lives on among the residents of |
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his home state; and |
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WHEREAS, Born on February 10, 1978, Chester Santiago grew up |
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in Kingsville; he took part in the ROTC program at H. M. King High |
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School and graduated in 1996; soon after earning his diploma, Mr. |
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Santiago chose to serve his country as a member of the U.S. Navy, |
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and for the next four years, he distinguished himself as a seaman of |
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great diligence and ability; and |
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WHEREAS, Petty Officer Santiago was stationed for three years |
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at the Charlestown Navy Yard as a crew member on the historic USS |
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Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship in the world; his |
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devoted service as a cook and his upbeat personality won him many |
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friends among his fellow sailors on "Old Ironsides," and one of the |
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ship's galleys was named in his honor following his death; and |
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WHEREAS, After joining the crew of the Cole, Petty Officer |
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Santiago ably supported that ship's vital assignments around the |
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globe; though he relished the adventure of his navy duty, |
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Ronchester Santiago was looking forward to the next chapter in his |
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life and had plans to study electrical engineering at The |
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University of Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, A deadly act of terrorism brought an end to those |
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plans, but it cannot diminish the courage and commitment of Petty |
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Officer Santiago, who at the young age of 22 had already proved |
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himself an individual of great gallantry and responsibility and to |
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whom Americans owe an eternal debt of remembrance; now, therefore, |
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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 a valorous son of |
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South Texas, U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class Ronchester Mananga |
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Santiago; 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 Petty |
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Officer Santiago. |
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Escobar |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 2566 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the House on May 25, 2007. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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