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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor was established |
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to recognize gallant and intrepid service by a member of the state |
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or federal military forces, and U.S. Army Second Lieutenant Darryn |
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Deen Andrews proved himself a deserving recipient of this |
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prestigious award; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Ogden, Utah, on July 3, 1975, Darryn Andrews |
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grew up in Cameron and graduated from C. H. Yoe High School, where |
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he played on the football, baseball, and basketball teams, served |
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on the student council, and participated in the UIL one-act play |
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competition; he went on to earn a bachelor's degree in business from |
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Texas Tech University and a master's degree in education |
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administration from Texas State University; and |
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WHEREAS, Ever since he was a child, Lieutenant Andrews had |
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hoped to serve his nation with the same dedication with which his |
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grandfather had served during World War II, and after the events of |
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9/11, he tried three times to enlist; the first two attempts were |
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ended by medical problems, but on his third attempt, he was |
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accepted, and in 2004, he proudly joined the U.S. Army, intending |
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to make the military his career; and |
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WHEREAS, Assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute |
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Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th |
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Infantry Division, out of Fort Richardson, Alaska, Lieutenant |
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Andrews was serving his second tour of duty in Afghanistan in |
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September 2009 when his unit was attacked with an improvised |
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explosive device and a rocket-propelled grenade; with no thought |
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for his own safety, Lieutenant Andrews tackled three of his |
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comrades to protect them from being hit; he died of the wounds he |
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incurred in that act of selfless courage; and |
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WHEREAS, Through his patriotism and determination to serve |
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his country, Lieutenant Andrews had already distinguished himself |
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as an exemplary soldier, but in the end it was his willingness to |
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sacrifice himself for his brothers-in-arms that revealed his true |
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heroism and showed the strength of his warrior's heart; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby direct the governor of the State of Texas to posthumously |
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award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to Second Lieutenant |
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Darryn Deen Andrews in recognition of his valiant service during |
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Operation Enduring Freedom. |