MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2006 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Butler, Simmons, Horhn, Jordan, Lee (35th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Thomas, Albritton, Browning, Burton, Carmichael, Clarke, Davis, Dearing, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harvey, Hewes, Hyde-Smith, King, Kirby, Little, Nunnelee, Pickering, Posey, Ross, Walls, White, Wilemon

Senate Concurrent Resolution 556

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE GALLANT SERVICE OF MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD SPECIALIST ALEXANDER AGUILAR OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, UPON HIS RECEIPT OF THE PURPLE HEART FOR INJURIES IN ACTION IN IRAQ.

     WHEREAS, Specialist Alexander Aguilar of the Mississippi National Guard was injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq and received the Purple Heart Award on Thursday, January 12, 2006; and

     WHEREAS, Specialist Alexander Aguilar, 25, of Jackson, who has Pike County ties, suffered burns to his arms and face in the explosion which occurred in August 2005; and

     WHEREAS, Specialist Aguilar, a sniper assigned to the Tylertown-based Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 155th Brigade Combat Team, was treated at military hospitals in Germany and the United States before being released; and

     WHEREAS, Major General Harold Cross, the Adjutant General of Mississippi, made the presentation at National Guard headquarters in Jackson, Mississippi; and

     WHEREAS, fourteen Mississippi Guard soldiers in the 155th Combat Brigade died in Iraq, and a number of others were seriously wounded, most from roadside bombs; and

     WHEREAS, since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least 40 soldiers or sailors with Mississippi ties have died in action; and

     WHEREAS, Alexander's mother, Vickie Aguilar of McComb, Mississippi, and his grandparents, Bob and Wilma Martin of Osyka, Mississippi, attended the ceremony to support him and expressed great pride in his service; and

     WHEREAS, Mississippians understand the costs of conflict, because we have paid them in the past, and it is with great pride and humility that we recognize the heroic action of this great American and Mississippian, who is the guardian of civilization as we know it today:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the gallant service of Mississippi National Guard Specialist Alexander Aguilar of Jackson, Mississippi, upon his receipt of the Purple Heart Award for injuries sustained in action in Iraq, and express to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature for his quick recovery.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Spc. Alexander Aguilar and forwarded to the Adjutant General of Mississippi and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.