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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 818
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
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recognize Michael E. Thornton for his distinguished service to his |
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country and for his steadfast support of military veterans; and |
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WHEREAS, Michael Thornton enlisted in the United States |
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Navy in 1967; after basic training, he was selected for |
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specialized training in basic underwater demolition as part of |
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the navy's elite SEAL forces; and |
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WHEREAS, Between 1968 and 1973, Petty Officer Thornton |
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served several tours of duty in the Republic of Vietnam and |
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Thailand; he was the recipient of numerous awards during his |
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wartime service, and he was bestowed the Congressional Medal of |
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Honor for his heroic rescue of fellow Navy SEAL and superior |
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officer Lieutenant Tom Norris during his final tour in Vietnam; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1982, Lieutenant Thornton received his |
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commission as a United States Navy ensign, and he went on to serve |
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at the Little Creek Amphibious Base in Norfolk, Virginia; in April |
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of 1990, he reported as Bravo Company commander to coordinate a |
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rapid response deployment in support of Operation Desert Shield and |
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Desert Storm; he retired from military service in 1992, after 25 |
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years of outstanding service to his country; and |
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WHEREAS, On June 8, 2017, at a special event in Dallas, |
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Mr. Thornton is introducing the book that details the mission and |
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the courageous rescue of Lieutenant Norris; proceeds from the event |
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will benefit the Michael E. Thornton Foundation, a nonprofit |
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organization that provides immediate financial relief to active |
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and nonactive military members and their families and supports |
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veterans as they work to transition to civilian life; and |
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WHEREAS, Michael Thornton is a revered citizen who continues |
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to work diligently on behalf of his fellow veterans, and he is |
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indeed deserving of recognition for his patriotism and the |
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extraordinary courage he demonstrated throughout his military |
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career; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th |
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Legislature, hereby commend Michael E. Thornton on his selfless |
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service to the nation and extend to him best wishes in all his |
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future endeavors; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
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him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. |
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Campbell |
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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 May 19, 2017. |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |