| |
| |
|
|
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
|
|
|
WHEREAS, United States Air Force Captain Robert Russell |
|
|
Barnett was laid to rest at the Texas State Cemetery on April 7, |
|
|
2017, the 51st anniversary of the day that he was killed in action |
|
|
during the Vietnam War; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, A member of the 8th Bomber Squadron, Captain Barnett |
|
|
was flying a classified mission when his aircraft was shot down over |
|
|
Laos in 1966; it was nearly 40 years before the United States |
|
|
military was able to locate the crash site and 50 before his body |
|
|
was recovered; thanks to the dedicated and exhaustive work of those |
|
|
who took part in this effort, he is now able to be buried with full |
|
|
military honors in the state and country he loved; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The son of Robert and Zelma Barnett, Russell Barnett |
|
|
was born on October 5, 1933, and raised in Gladewater; he graduated |
|
|
from Gladewater High School, where he played for the Bears football |
|
|
team; his skill on the gridiron earned him a football scholarship to |
|
|
Baylor University, and after completing his degree there, he |
|
|
enlisted in the United States Air Force; flying under the call sign |
|
|
"Bear," his nickname, he served 10 years in the air force and was |
|
|
proud to be fighting to protect our freedoms; when he passed away at |
|
|
age 32, he left behind two cherished daughters, Donna and Debra; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Captain Russell Barnett served with honor, courage, |
|
|
and patriotism, embodying the highest ideals of the United States |
|
|
armed forces, and his fellow citizens owe him a debt of gratitude |
|
|
and remembrance that the passage of time can never diminish; now, |
|
|
therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas |
|
|
hereby pay special tribute to the memory of Captain Robert Russell |
|
|
Barnett and extend to his loved ones sincere condolences for the |
|
|
loss of this valiant Texan; and, be it further |
|
|
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
|
|
prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate and House of |
|
|
Representatives adjourn this day, they do so in memory of Captain |
|
|
Russell Barnett. |