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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Family and friends are mourning the tragic loss of |
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U.S. Army Specialist Jonathan David Arthur Emard, who died in Iraq |
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on June 4, 2008, at the age of 20; and |
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WHEREAS, "J. D." Emard was born in Dallas on May 17, 1988, to |
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David and Debbie Emard; he grew up in Garland and Terrell and |
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graduated from Boles High School in Quinlan, where he was a member |
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of the soccer team and the varsity football team; a young man of |
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many interests, he also participated in the teen productions at |
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Rockwall Community Playhouse theater; and |
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WHEREAS, While a senior in high school, Specialist Emard |
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enlisted in the U.S. Army, and he became an airborne ranger assigned |
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to 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, |
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10th Mountain Division, based in Fort Drum, New York; he was |
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deployed to Iraq in August of 2007; and |
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WHEREAS, Specialist Emard was a courageous and highly |
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decorated soldier; he received numerous awards for his |
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distinguished service, including a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart with |
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two oak leaf clusters, and a National Defense Service Medal; he also |
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demonstrated great compassion when he attempted to save the life of |
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a young Iraqi girl who had been gravely injured by a rocket |
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propelled grenade; and |
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WHEREAS, An outstanding marksman from an early age, |
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Specialist Emard was a sniper recon, and he earned expert weapons |
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and rifle badges; and |
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WHEREAS, He was known for his humor, his outgoing nature, and |
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his genuine affection for people; he freely and openly gave his |
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friendship, provided comfort to those in distress, and defended the |
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oppressed; he carried memories of his beloved family with him to |
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sustain and lift his spirit during the trials of war and kept a |
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photograph of his six-month-old niece, Cina, in his helmet; and |
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WHEREAS, Through his unfaltering devotion to duty, honor, and |
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this country, J. D. Emard embodied the highest ideals of the United |
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States armed forces, and his fellow citizens owe him a debt of |
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gratitude that the passage of time can never diminish; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Specialist Jonathan |
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David Arthur Emard and extend deepest sympathy to his family: to his |
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parents, David and Debbie Emard; to his sister, Jennifer Marler, |
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and her husband, Justin; to his nieces, Riley "Cina" Marler and |
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Aeryel Marler; to his grandmother, Jean Emard; and to his other |
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relatives and many friends; 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 J. D. |
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Emard. |