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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 418
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In Memory |
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of |
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Robert Russell Barnett |
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WHEREAS, United States Air Force Captain Robert Russell |
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Barnett is being laid to rest at the Texas State Cemetery on April |
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7, 2017, the 51st anniversary of the day that he was killed in |
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action during the Vietnam War; and |
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WHEREAS, A member of the 8th Bomber Squadron, Captain |
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Barnett was flying a classified mission when his aircraft was |
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shot down over Laos in 1966; it was nearly 40 years before the |
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United States military was able to locate the crash site and 50 |
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before his body was recovered; thanks to the dedicated and |
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exhaustive work of those who took part in this effort, he is now |
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able to be buried with full military honors in the state and |
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country he loved; and |
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WHEREAS, The son of Robert and Zelma Barnett, Russell |
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Barnett was born on October 5, 1933, and raised in Gladewater; he |
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graduated from Gladewater High School, where he played for the |
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Bears football team; his skill on the gridiron earned him a |
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football scholarship to Baylor University, and after completing |
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his degree there, he enlisted in the United States Air Force; |
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flying under the call sign "Bear," his nickname, he served 10 |
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years in the air force and was proud to be fighting to protect our |
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freedoms; when he passed away at age 32, he left behind two |
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cherished daughters, Donna and Debra; and |
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WHEREAS, Captain Russell Barnett served with honor, |
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courage, and patriotism, embodying the highest ideals of the |
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United States armed forces, and his fellow citizens owe him a |
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debt of gratitude and remembrance that the passage of time can |
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never diminish; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th |
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Legislature, hereby pay special tribute to the memory of Captain |
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Robert Russell Barnett and extend to his loved ones sincere |
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condolences for the loss of this valiant Texan; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do |
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so in memory of Captain Russell Barnett. |
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Hughes |
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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 March 14, 2017, 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 |