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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 636
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WHEREAS, The friends and family of Sergeant Gary S. Johnston |
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of Windthorst suffered an immeasurable loss with the death of this |
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valiant young man on January 23, 2007, at the age of 21; and |
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WHEREAS, Born May 24, 1985, Sergeant Johnston was killed |
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while bravely serving his country during combat operations in |
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Al Anbar Province, Iraq; he was a radio operator with the 3rd |
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Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine |
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Expeditionary Force; and |
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WHEREAS, A 2003 graduate of Windthorst High School, |
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Gary Johnston was known for his friendly, laid-back attitude |
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and for his commitment to meeting the demanding goals he set for |
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himself; he excelled at sports and was an all-state football |
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player, in addition to being named to the all-district football |
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team his senior year; he enjoyed trap shooting and earned many |
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awards for his skills; following graduation, he joined the |
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Marine Corps, fulfilling a long-held dream to pursue a career |
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in the military; and |
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WHEREAS, He performed his duties with great distinction |
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during his tenure in the Marine Corps, earning promotion to the |
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rank of sergeant and earning the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement |
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Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the National |
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Defense Service Medal, to name but a few; while serving in |
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Mongolia, he was selected to guard President George W. Bush |
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during his visit to the region; despite the dangerous nature of |
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his mission in Iraq, he remained devoted to serving his country |
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and was intensely proud of the role he was playing in the global |
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war on terrorism; and |
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WHEREAS, Exemplifying the highest ideals of the United States |
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armed forces, Gary Johnston inspired others through his fortitude, |
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tenacity, and courage; although his passing leaves a void in the |
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lives of those who were fortunate enough to know him, memories of |
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this heroic young Texan will remain close to their hearts for years |
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to come; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, |
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80th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Gary S. Johnston |
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and extend sincere condolences to the members of his family and to |
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his other loved ones; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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the members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy |
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from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this |
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day, it do so in memory of Gary S. Johnston. |
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| Brimer |
Hinojosa |
Shapleigh |
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| Deuell |
Janek |
Van de Putte |
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| Gallegos |
Patrick |
Williams |
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Dewhurst, President of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on April 4, 2007, by a |
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rising vote. |
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________________________________ |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |