House Concurrent Resolution 5

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING SERGEANT JEREMY D. BUTLER UPON BEING HONORED AS 2ND MARINE DIVISION'S MARINE OF THE YEAR AT THE NINTH ANNUAL MARINE CORPS ASSOCIATION AND FOUNDATION GROUND AWARDS DINNER.

WHEREAS, the members of the Mississippi Legislature are pleased to commend, native Jacksonian and Provine High School alum, Sergeant Jeremy D. Butler, on being presented with the 2nd Marine Division's 2012 Marine of the Year Award at the Ninth Annual Marine Corps Association and Foundation Ground Awards Dinner at Arlington, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Jeremy D. Butler is a remarkable individual, for he combined courage and dedication with tremendous strength and resolve during his loyal military service as squad leader in combat in Marjah, Afghanistan, which earned him the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a Combat Distinguishing Device, and in a separate deployment, Sergeant Butler received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his gallantry; and

WHEREAS, since enrolling in the Delayed Entry Program in July 2006 to better himself and assist in a time of war, and completing the necessary training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, recruit training and School of Infantry at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, Sergeant Butler has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to performing his duties and fulfilling his responsibilities with the utmost efficiency and competence since receiving orders to join 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, assigned to the 78th Company (Echo) as a basic infantry rifleman; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Butler has certainly distinguished himself as a patriotic and hard-working American, displaying qualities that are essential for successful leadership, and his outstanding efforts have helped to guarantee a high level of success for all projects with which he has been involved, as evidenced in his first deployment as a fire team leader with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit from August 2008 to March 2009, and one year later, deploying to Marjah, Afghanistan, in support of "Operation Enduring Freedom"; and

WHEREAS, as he currently awaits orders to Drill Instructor School at Parris Island, it is incumbent upon this Legislature to note the heroic traditions of our Armed Forces and their importance to our nation's heritage, particularly in homage to one of Mississippi's native sons; and

WHEREAS, giving freely of his time, energy, and abilities far beyond what is required or expected, Sergeant Butler has earned the respect and admiration of all those with whom he has served and the gratitude of Americans everywhere, and to his credit, he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has provided a valuable service to our country and established a record of achievement worthy of emulation; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to acknowledge

the valiant and patriotic efforts and disposition of such an inspirational individual as Sergeant Butler:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Sergeant Jeremy D. Butler upon being honored as 2nd Marine Division's Marine of the Year at the Ninth Annual Marine Corps Association and Foundation Ground Awards Dinner in Arlington, Virginia, and extend most sincere wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Sergeant Jeremy D. Butler and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.