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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 766
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In Memory |
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of |
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Andrew Michael Keel |
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas pays tribute to |
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the life of United States Army Captain Andrew Michael Keel, who |
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died March 11, 2013, at the age of 28; and |
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WHEREAS, A highly decorated soldier, Captain Andrew Keel |
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lost his life while serving in Afghanistan; he was assigned to |
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Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), |
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Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was deployed in support of |
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Operation Enduring Freedom; it was his second deployment to |
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Afghanistan; and |
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WHEREAS, Captain Keel graduated from the United States |
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Military Academy at West Point in 2006 and was a member of the |
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first class to attend the academy after September 11, 2001; |
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following his graduation, he attended the Infantry Officer Basic |
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Course and the United States Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, |
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Georgia, and was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st |
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Infantry Division, at Fort Hood; and |
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WHEREAS, His first tour of duty in Afghanistan began in |
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2008; he was deployed for 12 months with the 3rd Brigade Combat |
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Team and served as a company executive officer and platoon |
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leader; during that time, he was promoted to the rank of captain; |
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after his return from Afghanistan, Captain Keel volunteered for |
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the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course; on |
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completion of the course, he was assigned to the 3rd Special |
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Forces Group as a detachment commander in August of 2012, and he |
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was later deployed with the unit to Afghanistan; he was proud to |
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be among the world's most elite combat soldiers; and |
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WHEREAS, An exemplary young man and a true American hero, |
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Captain Keel had a deep affection for the Central Texas area; he |
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was a frequent visitor to Austin, where he enjoyed spending time |
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with his extended family and running the Lady Bird Lake trails |
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with his dog, Lady; he was considering moving to Texas following |
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his military service; and |
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WHEREAS, Captain Keel was a devoted son and a valiant |
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soldier who earned numerous decorations, including two Bronze |
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Star Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, and the National |
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Defense Service Medal; he was beloved by his family and many |
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friends, and he leaves behind memories that will long be |
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cherished by all who were privileged to share in his life; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd |
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Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved |
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family of Captain Andrew Michael Keel; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas |
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Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in |
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memory of Andrew Keel. |
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| Campbell |
Hancock |
Schwertner |
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| Duncan |
Lucio |
Van de Putte |
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| Garcia |
Rodriguez |
Zaffirini |
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Dewhurst, President of the Senate |
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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 25, 2013, by a |
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rising vote. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |