Bill Text: SC H5547 | 2019-2020 | 123rd General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: First Lieutenant David Schmitz

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 78-45)

Status: (Passed) 2020-09-15 - Introduced and adopted [H5547 Detail]

Download: South_Carolina-2019-H5547-Introduced.html


A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF FIRST LIEUTENANT DAVID SCHMITZ OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE WHILE HE WAS SERVING A TOUR OF MILITARY DUTY AT SHAW AIR FORCE BASE IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO OFFER TO HIS FAMILY THE DEEPEST APPRECIATION OF A GRATEFUL STATE AND NATION FOR HIS LIFE, SACRIFICE, AND SERVICE.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, on behalf of all South Carolinians, acknowledge with deep appreciation the great sacrifice that the men and women of the United States Armed Forces make for the ideals of freedom and justice, which are so richly enjoyed in this nation; and

Whereas, First Lieutenant David Schmitz of the United States Air Force stands high among those servicemen and women so honored by their country; and

Whereas, on June 30, 2020, at the age of thirty-two, this California native lost his life while conducting a routine training sortie being carried out because his squadron, the 77th Fighter Squadron, is presently preparing to deploy overseas for combat operations. Flying alone as pilot of an F-16CM Fighting Falcon, he died in the crash of his aircraft; and

Whereas, Colonel Larry Sullivan, commander of the 20th Fighter Wing, praised Lieutenant Schmitz in these words: "Last night, we lost one of our very best, Lieutenant David Schmitz. ... Schmitz got his pilot's license when he was seventeen years old. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and served with distinction as a load master on a C-17, supporting some of our nation's most sensitive missions. And he never gave up on his lifelong goal of flying for the United States Air Force as a pilot"; and

Whereas, Lieutenant Schmitz, who attended Mesa College and enrolled in AFROTC at San Diego State, received his commission through Officer Training School and graduated at the top of his class in pilot training. He served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan; and

Whereas, he leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Valerie; his parents, Brian and Sherrie Schmitz; and his sister, Laura Schmitz; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives counts it a great privilege to remember First Lieutenant David Schmitz, and the members with one voice offer grateful thanks to Almighty God for the service and sacrifice of this son of liberty. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of First Lieutenant David Schmitz of the United States Air Force while he was serving a tour of military duty at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina and offer to his family the deepest appreciation of a grateful State and nation for his life, sacrifice, and service.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of First Lieutenant David Schmitz.

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