House Resolution 4

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND PERSONAL SACRIFICE OF MARINE LANCE CORPORAL DION M. WHITLEY AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Dion M. Whitley departed this earthly life on June 15, 2005, laying his life on the line to uphold the liberties of a free and democratic government, causing great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, known to friends and family as a "gentle giant," Lance Corporal Whitley always dreamed of enlisting in the United States Marines, seizing every opportunity to speak of his goal of enlisting and often writing about the Marines in his high school essays; and

WHEREAS, overcoming a personal obstacle of his own, Lance Corporal Whitley engaged himself in a rigorous daily exercise regiment, even training with recruiters to emphasize to them his commitment to obtaining his goal; and

WHEREAS, becoming a Marine was only the first of several plans Lance Corporal Whitley had for his life, wanting to use his military pay and benefits to go to college, buy a home and start a business; and

WHEREAS, born in Rock Island, Illinois, Lance Corporal Whitley, who was raised by a single mother and lived nearly all his life in Altadena, California, thrived in the Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Whitley entered the Marines shortly after graduating from John Muir High School in 2002, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, and was deployed to Iraq in March 2005; and

WHEREAS, a loving son, brother and friend, Lance Corporal Whitley 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, Deborah Whitley; and brother, Arian Whitley; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence in such outstanding soldiers as evidenced by the life and merits of Lance Corporal Whitley, whose gift to this 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 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, That we do hereby commend the life, services and accomplishments of Lance Corporal Dion M. Whitley 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 Lance Corporal Whitley and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.