SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 472

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to pay tribute to Sergeant Major Richard L. Cosper for his exceptional service on behalf of his state and country as a member of the United States Army and the Texas Army National Guard; and

WHEREAS, On February 13, 2011, Sergeant Major Cosper retired from the Texas Army National Guard after 27 years of outstanding service; almost 64 years of age at the time, he now has the distinction of being the oldest enlisted soldier ever to retire from the Army National Guard; and

WHEREAS, Richard Cosper enlisted in the United States Army on January 19, 1965, at the age of 17; he was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam in December of 1965 with the 14th Inventory Control Company as a forward observer; he was later assigned to the Signal Training Battalion in Fort Gordon, Georgia; he was redeployed to Vietnam with the United States Army Wound Data and Munitions Effectiveness Team; during this deployment, he served with the 1st Cavalry Division and the 25th Infantry Division; he later served again at Fort Gordon, where he was honorably discharged at the end of his term of service; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Major Cosper joined the Texas Army National Guard on May 10, 1984; he was activated in support of Operation Desert Storm and was deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2000, to Kuwait in 2003, and to Iraq in 2009; and

WHEREAS, The same year Richard Cosper joined the Texas Army National Guard, he also joined the Travis County Sheriff's Department, where he continues to serve his community and state today; he has taught at the training academy for many years, has served on the Fugitive Warrants team, and is trained as a hostage negotiator; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cosper's strong sense of duty and sacrifice is exemplary, and his lifelong commitment to service is an inspiration to others; devoted to his family, he lives with his wife of 42 years, Anne Marie, in Georgetown, and he enjoys spending time with his two daughters and his grandson; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby commend Sergeant Major Richard L. Cosper on his outstanding service to his community, state, and country and extend to him best wishes for the future; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Ogden

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 14, 2011.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate