MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Rogers (61st), Bentz, Bondurant, Broomfield, Chism, Dedeaux, Fredericks, Gregory, Guice, Hamilton (109th), Hamilton (6th), Ishee, Janus, Jennings, Martinson, Masterson, Mayo, Mims, Moore, Parker, Patterson, Peranich, Rogers (14th), Simpson, Smith (27th), Upshaw, Akins, Aldridge, Arinder, Bailey, Baker (74th), Baker (8th), Banks, Barnett, Beckett, Blackmon, Bounds, Brown, Buck, Burnett, Calhoun, Capps, Carlton, Clark, Clarke, Coleman (29th), Coleman (65th), Compretta, Cummings, Davis, Denny, Dickson, Eaton, Ellington, Ellis, Espy, Evans, Fillingane, Flaggs, Fleming, Formby, Franks, Frierson, Gadd, Gibbs, Green, Gunn, Harrison, Hines, Holland, Holloway, Horne, Howell, Huddleston, Hudson, Johnson, Lott, Malone, Markham, Mayhall, McBride, McCoy, Middleton, Miles, Moak, Montgomery, Morris, Moss, Myers, Nicholson, Perkins, Read, Reed, Reeves, Reynolds, Robinson (63rd), Robinson (84th), Rotenberry, Scott, Shows, Smith (39th), Smith (59th), Snowden, Staples, Stevens, Straughter, Stringer, Sullivan, Taylor, Thomas, Turner, Vince, Ward, Warren, Watson, Weathersby, Wells-Smith, Whittington, Woods, Young, Zuber
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION POSTHUMOUSLY COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PERSONAL SACRIFICE OF ARMY PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JAMES DIAMOND.
WHEREAS, fallen World War II hero and posthumous Medal of Honor recipient, Army Private First Class James Diamond will soon receive a headstone befitting a hero; and
WHEREAS, Private James Diamond gave the ultimate sacrifice of life at the age of 20 during a battle in Mindanao, Philippines, while leading a patrol to evacuate casualties from his battalion; and
WHEREAS, Private Diamond ran through a hail of Japanese fire to secure an abandoned machine gun, managing to draw enough fire upon himself that the remaining members of the patrol reached safety; and
WHEREAS, in an effort spearheaded by Lieutenant Colonel "Doc" Blanchard, an Air Force veteran who served in World War II, the financial contributions of the Gulfport City Council and Don Reynolds, who is constructing the headstone, Private Diamond will be honored with an unveiling of this monument on April 23, a day following the anniversary of his 80th birthday; and
WHEREAS, in honor of Private Diamond, who was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic action on May 14, 1945, Congressman Gene Taylor and Senator Trent Lott are expected to be present for the April 23rd unveiling; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the supreme sacrifice of life by our nation's military veterans and active soldiers, as exemplified by the selfless giving of life by Private Diamond:
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 and personal sacrifice of Army Private First Class James Diamond and recognize the posthumous recognition of his life by the City of Gulfport.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Gulfport City Council, Lieutenant Colonel Blanchard and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.