MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2006 1st Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Burton, Carmichael, Jackson (32nd), Albritton, Browning, Butler, Chaney, Dawkins, Dearing, Frazier, Gordon, Hewes, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Little, Mettetal, Michel, Morgan, Pickering, Posey, Thames, Thomas, Tollison, Walls, White, Wilemon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF UNITED STATES ARMY SERGEANT 1ST CLASS CLARENCE D. MCSWAIN OF MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN IRAQ ON JUNE 8, 2006, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, United States Army Sergeant 1st Class Clarence D. McSwain, 31, a 12-year Army veteran serving his third tour of duty in Iraq, was killed in action on Thursday, June 8, 2006, by an exploding roadside bomb while traveling in a convoy near Al Kut, 115 miles southeast of Baghdad; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant McSwain was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and
WHEREAS, carried by an Army Honor Guard, he was buried with full military honors on Saturday, June 17, 2006, in Clarksville, Tennessee, near Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he was stationed, during which he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. A memorial service was held on Saturday, June 24, 2006, at United Missionary Baptist Church in Laurel, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant McSwain was a dedicated soldier and devoted family man. He was a 1993 graduate of Meridian High School, where he played football and was an honors graduate. He majored in English at the University of Southern Mississippi before enlisting in the United States Army at 19 years of age; and
WHEREAS, since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least 43 soldiers or sailors with Mississippi ties have died in action; and
WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife, Kendra; two daughters, Krista and Jakayla; an infant son, Kenneth (who he had seen only once when he was home on leave for Kenneth's birth); a stepdaughter, Jasmin; his father, the Reverend Theodis McSwain; a devoted sister, Ashley; and many close friends; and
WHEREAS, Clarence McSwain was a loving father who is counted among America's heroes, committed to our nation's safety and security. To a country, a fallen soldier means a national loss; to a community, a fallen soldier means a true hero; to a parent, a fallen soldier means a son who won't be coming home. 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 was 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 remember the gallant service and commend the life of United States Army Sergeant 1st Class Clarence D. McSwain of Meridian, Mississippi, who was killed in action in Iraq on Thursday, June 8, 2006, and extend the thoughts and prayers of the Legislature to his family and our sorrow on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Sergeant McSwain and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.