Bill Text: TX HR2994 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Paying tribute to the life of U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Gary Lamar Collins of Hardin and commemorating the 2015 Concert for Hope.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2015-05-31 - Reported enrolled [HR2994 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HR2994-Enrolled.html

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H.R. No. 2994

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, United States Army Sergeant First Class Gary Lamar
Collins of Hardin was killed in action while courageously serving
his country in Iraq, and his heroism and sacrifice are being honored
at the Concert for Hope in Winnie on June 13, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Hosted by the Different Rhythm Foundation, which
combats terrorism and the extinction of keystone species in Africa,
this event is the only full-day military tribute in the state;
proceeds will benefit the Crystal Beach Retreat Facility of the
nonprofit Lone Survivor Foundation, an organization dedicated to
caring for wounded servicemembers and their families and to helping
veterans transition back into civilian life; and
WHEREAS, Assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry
Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Riley,
Kansas, Sergeant Collins was a longtime member of the army and was
certified as both an airborne specialist and a ranger; after
serving in Bosnia, he was deployed to Iraq, where he was killed by
an improvised explosive device in Fallujah on November 8, 2003,
becoming the 13th fallen member of the U.S. armed forces from Fort
Riley during Operation Iraqi Freedom; and
WHEREAS, During his decorated military career, Sergeant
Collins earned seven Army Achievement Medals, three Army
Commendation Medals, and the prestigious Expert Infantryman Badge,
and he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple
Heart and promoted to sergeant first class; and
WHEREAS, Gary Collins was born on May 18, 1971, and graduated
in 1990 from Magnolia High School, where he distinguished himself
as captain of the football team and as a member of the baseball and
track and field teams and was voted class favorite for four
consecutive years; he married his high school sweetheart, the
former Kassandra Kennedy, on February 2, 1992, and the couple
became the loving parents of two children, Taylor and Landry; and
WHEREAS, Americans owe a profound debt of gratitude to those
who have answered this nation's call to duty, and the special
recognition given to Sergeant Collins by the Different Rhythm
Foundation will serve to further perpetuate the memory of this
brave soldier for many years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of U.S. Army Sergeant
First Class Gary Lamar Collins and commemorate the 2015 Concert for
Hope.
Faircloth
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2994 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 30, 2015.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House