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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 88
BY REPRESENTATIVE LAFONTA
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes June 28th annually as Naval Special Warfare
Day
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To recognize June 28th annually as Naval Special Warfare Day in the state of Louisiana.2
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize June 28, 2010, as Naval Special Warfare3
Day and to continue to recognize this day annually in memory of June 28, 2005, the day of4
the largest loss of life in a single day in United States Navy SEAL history; and5
WHEREAS, Naval Special Warfare forces have an extremely rich and diverse6
history and are an intricate and vital part of the United States naval strategic planning; and7
WHEREAS, Naval Special Warfare forces and other special operations forces are8
trained to be particularly responsive to a broad range of situations; and9
WHEREAS, the small size, special equipment, and area-oriented training of the10
Naval Special Warfare forces make them especially valuable in situations and areas where11
use of conventional military forces might be less feasible; and12
WHEREAS, by virtue of their unique character, exclusive missions, and small13
personnel numbers, the members of the Naval Special Warfare forces represent only a14
fraction of the nation's population, and these men and their families are part of a special15
community and share a truly inspiring bond; and16
WHEREAS, on June 28, 2005, a four-man United States Navy SEAL team was17
inserted into the high mountains of Kunar Province, Northern Afghanistan, near the18
Pakistani border on a mission to capture or kill a notorious al Qaeda leader who was known19
to be in a Taliban stronghold surrounded by a small and heavily armed force; and20 HLS 10RS-1058 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 88
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WHEREAS, after the Navy SEAL team's position was compromised, they were1
forced to face more than one hundred Taliban fighters with rifles, machine guns, and rocket-2
propelled grenades; and3
WHEREAS, outnumbered but determined to resist capture by the Taliban, the Navy4
SEAL team, on several occasions, hurled themselves off of one thousand-foot cliffs into the5
woods below them; and6
WHEREAS, as the Navy SEAL team was experiencing transmission difficulties with7
their secure radios due to the steep mountainous terrain, Lieutenant Michael Murphy8
selflessly ran out into the open to make a radio call to the base to request backup; and9
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Murphy was shot numerous times as he calmly made the call10
and then returned to the fight, and for his heroic actions, he was awarded the Medal of11
Honor; and12
WHEREAS, back at the Navy SEAL base, eight SEALs immediately boarded an13
MH-47 helicopter to come to the aid of those SEALs now pinned down by enemy fire, but14
as they reached their target and were about to deploy, an enemy rocket-propelled grenade15
struck and completely destroyed the helicopter; and16
WHEREAS, the helicopter crash served as a diversion, allowing one of the Navy17
SEALs on the ground to crawl and fight his way into a friendly Afghan village, where he18
was ultimately reunited with United States forces; and19
WHEREAS, among those that gave the ultimate sacrifice to assist their fellow Navy20
SEALs was Chief Petty Officer Jacques Fontan, a native of Louisiana; and21
WHEREAS, born and raised in New Orleans, Chief Petty Officer Fontan graduated22
from Brother Martin High School, attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and23
enlisted in the United States Navy in 1989; and24
WHEREAS, after nine years of active duty with the United States Navy, Chief Petty25
Officer Fontan applied for and was accepted to Navy SEAL training, where he graduated26
with BUD/S Class 219, and upon his untimely death, he was a member of Navy SEAL Team27
10, which is based in Little Creek, Virginia; and28
WHEREAS, June 28, 2010, marks the fifth anniversary of this tragic day when so29
many brave Navy SEALs gave their lives in the name of freedom; and30 HLS 10RS-1058 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, the Naval Special Warfare forces merit a special measure of1
commendation in honor of their fallen brothers who displayed overwhelming courage and2
valor during the tragic events of June 28, 2005. 3
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby4
recognize June 28th annually as Naval Special Warfare Day in the state of Louisiana, does5
hereby recognize the members of the Naval Special Warfare forces and their families for6
their manifold contributions to the cause of freedom and peace throughout the world, and7
does hereby extend enduring gratitude for the tremendous sacrifice made by those brave8
Navy SEALs on June 28, 2005.9
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted10
to Robert Rieve, president and chief executive officer of the Naval Special Warfare11
Foundation, and to the family of Chief Petty Officer Jacques Fontan.12
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
LaFonta HCR No. 88
Recognizes June 28 annually as Naval Special Warfare Day in La.