Senate Concurrent Resolution 505

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REMEMBER THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMEND THE LIFE OF UNITED STATES ARMY STAFF SERGEANT JAMES ELLIS OF YAZOO CITY, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN IRAQ ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2006.

WHEREAS, United States Army Staff Sergeant James Ellis, a native of Yazoo City, Mississippi, was killed in action on Tuesday, October 3, 2006, by an exploding roadside bomb while on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq, with three fellow soldiers; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Ellis was assigned to the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry, 4th Infantry Division, and was serving his second tour of duty when he was killed; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Ellis enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve right after graduating from Yazoo City High School in 2000. Once he finished basic training with the Army Reserve, he decided to enlist as a full-time soldier; and

WHEREAS, Yazoo City High School Principal John Wallace remembers Ellis as a dependable student and a good person. "He was well liked by everyone here. He was just a good kid"; and

WHEREAS, carried by an Army Honor Guard, he was buried with full military honors in Valdosta, Georgia, during which he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Ellis was a dedicated soldier and devoted family man. While serving in Iraq, Ellis regularly kept in touch with his family and had spoken to his mother just hours before the incident in which he lost his life. In addition to his grandmother, Sergeant Ellis is survived by his wife, Ulrica Ellis, and child, Ja'Niayah Ellis, of Valdosta, Georgia; his mother, Tonya Ellis; his father, James Darren Conley; and three siblings; and

WHEREAS, since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least 44 soldiers or sailors with Mississippi ties have died in action; and

WHEREAS, James Ellis 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 Staff Sergeant James Ellis of Yazoo City, Mississippi, who was killed in action in Iraq on Tuesday, October 3, 2006, and extend our 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 Staff Sergeant Ellis and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.