House Concurrent Resolution 103

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING SPECIALIST ROGER "BUBBA" WALTERS, JR., FOR HIS INVENTIVE PLAN FOR AND SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE PROTECTION OF OUR SOLDIERS IN IRAQ.

WHEREAS, Specialist Roger "Bubba" Walters, Jr., is a member of the Mississippi National Guard, A Company, 890th Engineering Battalion, based out of Picayune, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, after a terrible improvised explosive devise (IED) attack on a convoy of the A Company, 890th Engineering Battalion, which seriously injured Specialist Carl Sampson, many soldiers felt a vulnerability and lack of safety in their unprotected vehicles; and

WHEREAS, with little materials and tools, Specialist Walters, a former welder and now carpenter at Stennis Space Center, fabricated a template of panels to be attached to the sides of vehicles and after successful testing of the panels on the vehicles to stop the penetration of AK-47 rounds fired, Specialist Walters was given permission to install the armor panels on several vehicles; and

WHEREAS, by December 15, 2003, every vehicle assigned to A Company had armor plating on the doors and other areas where troops ride, and as of February 29, 2004, only four of the 890th's vehicles have been hit by an IED with no serious injuries; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Walters credits A Company Commander, Captain Rick Weaver, and the help of Sergeants Ruben Sanderson, Chris Fazande, Dewan Watts and Specialists David Aaron Smith, Eric Stockstill, Jon Ashe, Robert Margerum, Shawn Smoot and Jeremy Weir, with ensuring that the vehicles were equipped with the armor plating; and

WHEREAS, the inventive and dedicated work of Specialist Walters has already saved the lives of several individuals in Iraq and will continue to afford more protection to our soldiers; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Walters has been lovingly supported in all his patriotic endeavors by his family, including his wife, Lacie, and their son, Gavin; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippians such as Specialist Walters, who has dedicated his life to serve his country, improving the quality of life for all Mississippians and Americans:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Specialist Roger "Bubba" Walters, Jr., a member of the Mississippi National Guard, A Company, 890th Engineering Battalion, based out of Picayune, Mississippi, for his inventive plan for and significant impact on the protection of our soldiers in Iraq.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Specialist Roger "Bubba" Walters, Jr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.