MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2004 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Dickson, Eaton, Moody, Akins, Aldridge, Baker (8th), Banks, Brown, Buck, Calhoun, Chism, Clarke, Coleman (29th), Davis, Denny, Ellis, Espy, Fillingane, Fleming, Formby, Fredericks, Gadd, Gibbs, Green, Gunn, Hamilton (6th), Harrison, Holloway, Horne, Howell, Huddleston, Lott, Martinson, Mayo, McBride, McCoy, Middleton, Moak, Myers, Parker, Peranich, Perkins, Reynolds, Robinson (63rd), Robinson (84th), Rogers (14th), Rotenberry, Shows, Smith (27th), Staples, Stevens, Straughter, Sullivan, Taylor, Thomas, Upshaw, Warren, Watson, Whittington, Woods, Arinder, Bailey, Baker (74th), Barnett, Beckett, Bentz, Blackmon, Bondurant, Bounds, Broomfield, Burnett, Capps, Carlton, Clark, Coleman (65th), Compretta, Cummings, Dedeaux, Ellington, Evans, Flaggs, Franks, Frierson, Guice, Hamilton (109th), Hines, Holland, Hudson, Ishee, Janus, Jennings, Malone, Markham, Masterson, Mayhall, Miles, Mims, Montgomery, Moore, Morris, Moss, Nicholson, Patterson, Pierce, Read, Reed, Reeves, Rogers (61st), Scott, Simpson, Smith (39th), Smith (59th), Snowden, Stringer, Turner, Vince, Ward, Weathersby, Wells-Smith, West, Young, Zuber

House Concurrent Resolution 128

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE BRAVERY AND STEADFASTNESS OF MR. THOMAS HAMILL WHILE A CIVILIAN PRISONER OF WAR AND EXPRESSING GREATEST ELATION UPON HIS ESCAPE.

     WHEREAS, Thomas Hamill of Macon, Mississippi, who was abducted by a group of Islamic insurgents on April 9, 2004, when his supply convoy came under attack, was found safe by the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry of the New York National Guard, after having escaped his captors on May 2, 2004; and

     WHEREAS, a civilian contractor for Halliburton Company subsidiary KBR who had undertaken the job to save his family business, Mr. Hamill's release was conditioned by his captors upon the withdrawal of United States Forces from Fallujah; and

     WHEREAS, after twenty-three days of captivity, Mr. Hamill, remaining steadfast in his faith that he would once again see his family, pried open the doors of a locked building and ran a half mile to catch up with a passing military convoy; and

     WHEREAS, during the time of his captivity, Mr. Hamill's bravery, resolve, resilience and intrepid spirit allowed him to maintain his hope and determination for freedom and provided him the strength for his daring escape; and

     WHEREAS, suffering a gunshot wound to his left arm, Mr. Hamill, rather than being consumed by the dangers of capture and his own safety, remained more concerned about the health and well-being of his family:  wife, Kellie; children, Thomas and Tori; parents, Leo and Phylis Hamill; and grandmother, Vera Hamill; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature wishes to recognize and commend the bravery exhibited by Mr. Hamill, whose experience as a hostage greatly affected the emotions and evoked sympathy and spiritual unity of the many citizens of Macon and the entire State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the bravery and steadfastness of Mr. Thomas Hamill while a civilian prisoner of war and express greatest elation upon his safe and daring escape.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Thomas Hamill and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.