Bill Text: TX HR687 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: In memory of fallen American hero Christopher Scott Kyle.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2013-03-14 - Reported enrolled [HR687 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HR687-Enrolled.html

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H.R. No. 687

R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The State of Texas and the entire nation are
mourning the tragic loss of Christopher Scott Kyle of Midlothian,
an American hero who died on February 2, 2013, at the age of 38; and
WHEREAS, Chris Kyle was born in Odessa on April 8, 1974, to
Wayne and Deby Kyle; growing up on his parents' ranch, he enjoyed an
active life; he learned marksmanship at an early age, hunting deer
and pheasant, and when he was older, he challenged himself further
as a professional bronco and bull rider; and
WHEREAS, After studying ranch and range management for two
years at Tarleton State University and then working as a ranch hand,
Mr. Kyle answered his nation's call to duty and joined the U.S. Navy
in 1999; his skill and determination quickly led to his transfer to
the SEALs, the navy's elite special operations force, where he
prevailed throughout the team's strenuous selection process and was
chosen to receive sniper training; and
WHEREAS, Throughout four combat tours, Mr. Kyle served with
SEAL Team 3 in the thick of battle in such places as Ramadi,
Fallujah, and Baghdad, and his exceptional ability as a marksman
enabled him to save countless American lives and earned him
legendary status as the most successful sniper in U.S. history; his
outstanding record was recognized with two Silver Stars and five
Bronze Stars with Valor, among many other decorations; following
his combat deployments, he served as a chief instructor for
training other navy snipers, and he wrote the first Navy SEAL sniper
manual; and
WHEREAS, Chris Kyle retired from the navy in 2009 as a chief
petty officer and returned to his family in Texas; his combat
memoir, American Sniper, became a worldwide bestseller, with
proceeds from the book going to the families of two fellow SEALs who
were killed in battle; in addition, he cofounded Craft
International, which trains military, police, and civilian
security forces, and he also appeared on the NBC show Stars Earn
Stripes; and
WHEREAS, More importantly, Mr. Kyle devoted himself to caring
for his fellow veterans, and he helped found the FITCO Cares
Foundation, which provides at-home fitness equipment to veterans
recovering from the emotional and physical wounds of war; his
commitment to the support of servicemen and servicewomen and their
families was heartfelt, deep, and enduring; and
WHEREAS, Chris Kyle was an outstanding soldier, a humble
patriot, a man of strong faith, and a loving husband, father, son,
and brother; his generosity, good humor, and compassion encompassed
not just those closest to him, but all those men and women who
accept, as he did, both the sacrifice and the privilege of serving
their nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Christopher Scott
Kyle and extend heartfelt condolences to the members of his family:
to his wife, Taya, and their two children; to his parents, Wayne and
Deby Kyle; to his brother, Jeff Kyle, his wife, Amy, and their two
daughters; to his grandmothers, Joyce Kyle and Louise Mercer; to
his parents-in-law, Kent and Kim Studebaker; to his sister-in-law,
Ashley Purvis-Smith, her husband, Stewart, and their four children;
and to his other relatives, friends, and many admirers across the
Lone Star State and beyond; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Chris Kyle.
Anderson
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 687 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 13, 2013.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House