MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2011 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (11th), Jones, Albritton, Baria, Blount, Brown, Browning, Bryan, Burton, Butler (36th), Butler (38th), Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Davis, Dawkins, Dearing, Dickerson, Fillingane, Flowers, Frazier, Gollott, Gordon, Harden, Hewes, Hopson, Horhn, Hudson, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), Lee (47th), McDaniel, Mettetal, Michel, Moffatt, Montgomery, Powell, Simmons, Stone, Tollison, Turner, Ward, Watson, Wilemon, Yancey
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND MOURNING THE LOSS OF UNITED STATES ARMY PRIVATE WILLIAM BRANDON DAWSON OF TUNICA, MISSISSIPPI, WHO DIED ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2010, FROM INJURIES RECEIVED IN ACTION IN KABUL, AFGHANISTAN.
WHEREAS, United States Army Private William Brandon Dawson, 20, of Tunica, Mississippi, died on September 24, 2010, from injuries received in action in Kabul, Afghanistan. Private Dawson was driving the lead truck in a convoy that was struck by a shoulder-launched enemy missile; and
WHEREAS, some knew him as "William" and others called him "Brandon," but all agree that United States Army Private Second Class William Brandon Dawson was a great role model. Private Dawson had only been in Afghanistan for two weeks at the time of his death. He had been in ROTC as a student at Rosa Fort High School in Tunica, Mississippi. Upon graduating from high school in 2009, Brandon fulfilled his goal and enlisted in the Army and was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for training for six months. In January 2010, he was assigned to Anchorage, Alaska, until he was deployed to Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, carried by an Army Honor Guard, he returned to the family he loved and was buried with full military honors on Friday, October 8, 2010. He was a great brother and his memory will be celebrated and remembered by his parents, Willie B. Dawson, Jr., and Ouita Weeden-Dawson (Elton Tresvant); three brothers, Joseph, David and Daniel Dawson; grandparents, Willie B. Dawson, Sr., and Shirley Dawson, and Marilyn Williams; great-grandmothers, Emma Williams and Juggie Graves; aunts and uncles, Vanessa Mitchell (Henry), Blake Dawson (Victoria), Petra Dawson, Carolyn Cooper, Cynthia Moore and Armstrong Weston, Jr.; his girlfriend, Brittany Collins, and her family; and a host of other relatives and friends; and
WHEREAS, since operations began in the War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least 76 soldiers or sailors with Mississippi ties have died in action. Brandon was a loving son 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 mourn the loss of United States Army Private William Brandon Dawson of Tunica, Mississippi, who died on September 24, 2010, from injuries received in action in Kabul, Afghanistan, and extend the 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 presented to the surviving family of Private Dawson and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.