House Concurrent Resolution 67

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SPECIALIST RAPHAEL SEPTIEN DAVIS AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Specialist Raphael S. Davis, of Tutwiler, Mississippi, born on November 17, 1979, to Betty Pimpton and Clifton Bailey, Sr., departed this earthly life on December 2, 2003, while serving the United States in furtherance of "Operation Iraqi Freedom," causing great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, a 1998 graduate of West Tallahatchie High School, Specialist Davis was a member of the 223rd Engineer Battalion of the Mississippi Army National Guard, attached to Company C, Detachment 1; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Davis began his military career when he joined the Mississippi Army National Guard with his brother Clifton Bailey, Jr., on July 27, 2001, under the "buddy system"; and

WHEREAS, when the 223rd Engineer Battalion was mobilized in late January 2003, and deployed overseas in March, Specialist Davis and his brother, Specialist Bailey made the fateful journey to Iraq together; and

WHEREAS, known for his avid sportsmanship and fierce competitiveness, Specialist Davis possessed great athleticism, which was evidenced in his years of play on the West Tallahatchie Choctaws Football Team as a running back; and

WHEREAS, his zeal for sports was complemented by his personal determination to do his best in any endeavor, which he did wholeheartedly, thus sparking his interest to enroll at Hinds Community College before transferring to Holmes Community College, in pursuit of a career in electronic engineering; and

WHEREAS, a fun-loving, happy-go-lucky and independent-minded individual, Specialist Davis will be remembered most for his positive and upbeat attitude shared during his last moments in conversation with family and friends; and

WHEREAS, having lost his life in battle, Specialist Davis was the tenth Mississippi soldier, the second Mississippi Guardsman and the first member of the 223rd Battalion, since its organization in 1954, to be lost in combat; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Davis was awarded the Bronze Star with valor and a Purple Heart, which was posthumously presented to his family; and

WHEREAS, a loving son, father, brother and friend, Specialist Davis will be sorely missed by those who experienced the depth of his love, commitment and compassion for life and pursuit of freedom for all, but the legacy of his memory will forever be etched in the hearts and memories of his survivors, including: his mother, Betty Pimpton; father, Clifton Bailey, Sr.; stepfather, Reverend Dr. Ilanda Pimpton; stepmother, Elaine Bailey; children, Ravin, Raphael, Jr., and Razavier; brothers, Lamonte Harris, Clifton Bailey, Jr., Bernard Berryhill, Cedric Davis, Demarcus Davis, Xavier Bailey, Taierry Brown, Aveail Wallace, Stevie Hill, Terrence Steele and Maurice Steele; two sisters, Wynde Bailey and Primie Stevenson; grandparents, Leroy Scurlock, Rutha Bailey and Louise Davis; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence in such outstanding Mississippians as evidenced by the life and merits of Specialist Davis, whose gift to this state and nation was the ultimate sacrifice of life in order that others may have the opportunity to experience a life of freedom, peace and prosperity that we as citizens of the Great State of Mississippi and these United States of America are privileged to share daily:

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 life, services and accomplishments of Specialist Raphael Septien Davis and express our deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Specialist Davis and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.