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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The family and friends of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant |
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Chauncy Ryan Mays of Cookville suffered an immeasurable loss with |
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the death of this valiant soldier on February 28, 2011, at the age |
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of 25; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Sulphur Springs, Chauncy Mays was born |
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on December 7, 1985; he graduated from Chapel Hill High School in |
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Mount Pleasant in 2004 and, inspired by his meeting with an |
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explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialist, went on to join the |
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U.S. Army; following boot camp, he pursued rigorous training that |
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qualified him to become an EOD specialist, a position that requires |
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exceptional focus, composure, and analytical ability; and |
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WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Mays served multiple tours in Iraq, |
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helping to create a safe passage for infantry on patrol; later |
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deployed to Afghanistan as a team leader with the 705th EOD Unit, he |
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was killed while working to disarm an improvised explosive device; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, During his years in combat, this courageous soldier |
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collected hundreds of IEDs so that EOD students might benefit from |
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their study, and today, his efforts continue to save lives in |
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combat; deservedly honored for his distinguished military service, |
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he was awarded the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters and the |
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Purple Heart; and |
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WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Mays was supported in all of his |
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endeavors by a loving family; the son of Alyson Rodgers and Tommy |
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and Tammy Mays, he was devoted to his wife, Katherine, and his |
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daughters, Chesnee and Kiley; and |
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WHEREAS, Through his unwavering dedication to duty and honor, |
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Chauncy Mays embodied the highest ideals of the United States armed |
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forces, and his fellow citizens owe him a debt of gratitude that the |
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passage of time can never diminish; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby pay tribute to the life of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Chauncy |
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Ryan Mays and extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: |
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to his wife, Katherine Mays; to his daughters, Chesnee and Kiley |
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Mays; to his mother, Alyson Rodgers; to his father and stepmother, |
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Tommy and Tammy Mays; and to his other relatives and many friends; |
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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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of |
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U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Chauncy Ryan Mays. |