House Resolution 61

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND SERVICE OF UNITED STATES NAVY OPERATIONS SPECIALIST 2 DOMINIQUE DIONNE MCNAIR CRUZ AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HER PASSING.

WHEREAS, Dominique Dionne McNair Cruz, a native of Meridian, Mississippi, departed this earthly life while courageously serving her country on Wednesday, January 19, 2011, at the young age of 26, to enter into eternal rest with her Heavenly Father, rendering great sorrow and loss to her family and friends; and

WHEREAS, deriving from a family who stressed the magnitude and benefits afforded an individual with a qualified educational background, Dominique was a graduate of Cleveland High School and attended Alabama State University, Mississippi Delta Community College and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, majoring in marine biology; and

WHEREAS, when purposed by her life's destiny to serve her country, she joined the United States Navy in June 2006, and had served aboard the U.S.S. Halsey for the past four years; and

WHEREAS, Sweet Pilgrim United Methodist Church, which has 38 members, was filled to capacity for her funeral services, and all along the route from Meridian to Waynesboro, hundreds lined the streets and highways to watch the hearse carrying the sailor's body; and

WHEREAS, during her funeral service at Sweet Pilgrim United Methodist Church in Shubuta, Mississippi, a host of family and friends eulogized the sailor as an individual with a deep, abiding faith in God, and a desire to see others find Christ in their lives; and

WHEREAS, though she has traversed the river of life to now stand on the celestial shores of Heaven, in a family reunion of the ages with those who have preceded her in life's transition into eternity, and the tenor of her service will be cherished by those who are the best testimony of her legacy of strength: six brothers, Bryan McNair, Antonio Stewart, Alvin Semmons, the Reverend Dennis Semmons, Robert Semmons and Donald Semmons; four sisters, Grenda Moore, Kimberly Semmons, Idell Semmons and Rhonda Semmons; parents, James and Ruth Stewart; father, Charlie Semmons; maternal grandmother, Emma L. McNair; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to commend the life of such a selfless and noble individual as Dominique Cruz, who poured herself into the lives of others with every fabric of her being without reservation:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life, legacy and service of United States Navy Operations Specialist 2 Dominique Dionne McNair Cruz and express deepest sympathy to her family and friends upon her passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Navy Operations Specialist 2 Cruz and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.