MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Formby, Currie, Ellington, Frierson, Moore, Akins, Aldridge, Arinder, Bailey, Baker (74th), Baker (8th), Banks, Barker, Beckett, Bell, Bennett, Blackmon, Bondurant, Bounds, Broomfield, Brown, Buck (5th), Buck (72nd), Burnett, Byrd, Calhoun, Campbell, Carpenter, Chism, Clark, Clarke, Cockerham, Coleman (29th), Coleman (65th), Compretta, DeLano, Dedeaux, Denny, Dickson, DuVall, Eaton, Ellis, Espy, Evans (70th), Evans (91st), Fillingane, Flaggs, Fredericks, Gadd, Gardner, Gibbs, Gipson, Guice, Gunn, Hamilton (109th), Hamilton (6th), Harrison, Hines, Holland, Holloway, Horne, Howell, Huddleston (15th), Huddleston (30th), Ishee, Jennings, Johnson, Jones (111th), Jones (82nd), Lane, Malone, Martinson, Mayhall, Mayo, McBride, McCoy, McGee, Middleton, Mims, Moak, Monsour, Morgan, Moss, Myers, Nicholson, Norquist, Nowell, Parker, Patterson, Peranich, Perkins, Pigott, Puckett, Read, Reed, Reynolds, Robinson, Rogers (14th), Rogers (61st), Scott, Shows, Smith (27th), Smith (39th), Snowden, Staples, Stevens, Straughter, Stringer, Sullivan, Thomas, Turner, Upshaw, Walley, Ward, Warren, Watson, Weathersby, Whittington, Woods, Wooten, Zuber
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND MOURNING THE LOSS OF UNITED STATES MARINE FIRST LIEUTENANT WILLIAM J. DONNELLY IV OF PICAYUNE, MISSISSIPPI, WHO WAS LOST IN ACTION IN THE HELMAND PROVINCE OF AFGHANISTAN ON NOVEMBER 25, 2010, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
WHEREAS, United States Marine First Lieutenant William J. Donnelly IV, a 27-year-old resident of Picayune, Mississippi, was lost in action on November 25, 2010, while conducting dismounted combat operations against enemy forces in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, serving on his first combat deployment, Lieutenant Donnelly was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Pendleton, California; and
WHEREAS, in tribute for his service to his beloved United States, a memorial was held in his honor in front of the Picayune Veterans Memorial at the historic City Hall Building, timed to coincide with Lieutenant Donnelly's military burial at Arlington, Virginia; and
WHEREAS, prior to graveside services at Arlington, a funeral service was held at the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland, where Lieutenant General John F. Kelly, Commander of the Marine Forces Reserve, presented posthumous awards to the Donnelly family; and
WHEREAS, born in Maryland, and living in Carlsbad, California, with his wife, Linsey Becker Donnelly, Lieutenant Donnelly was a graduate of Picayune Memorial High School who enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 2003 and served with the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, out of Gulfport, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, he transferred to the Navy Reserve as a midshipman to attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy, where he rose in leadership to serve as Regimental Commander over the regiment of midshipmen his senior year, and after graduating in 2008, Lieutenant Donnelly was commissioned as an officer in the Marine Corps with a bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Donnelly was proud to be a Marine and was known by all for his professionalism and caring spirit, which enabled him the privilege of being respected by all who knew him and loved by everyone; and
WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to now stand upon golden heavenly shores, where he will surrender his battle sword of earthly travailing by placing them in the sands of time, the legacy of his selfless service and allegiance to God, family and the United States, will forever be etched in the hearts and memories of his loving survivors: wife, Linsey Becker Donnelly; parents, William Donnelly III and Vicki Donnelly; two sisters, Lieutenant J.G. Melissa Weed and Rebecca Donnelly; and a host of other relatives and friends; and
WHEREAS, counted among America's heroes, committed to our nation's safety and security, the State of Mississippi shares the sentiment that to a country, a fallen soldier means a national loss; to a community, a fallen soldier means a true hero; to a wife or parent, a fallen soldier means a husband or son who won't be coming home; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize the heroic action of this great American and Mississippian, as evidenced by the life and merits of Lieutenant Donnelly, 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 democracy, freedom, peace and prosperity that we as citizens of the great State of Mississippi and the 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 remember the gallant service and mourn the loss of United States Marine First Lieutenant William J. Donnelly IV, and extend thoughts and prayers to his family in honor of their sacrifice and our sorrow on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be furnished to the family of Lieutenant Donnelly and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.