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Regular Session, 2010
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 41
BY SENATOR MARIONNEAUX
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of United States Army Sergeant
Patrick Williamson.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana to the2
family of United States Army Sergeant Patrick Williamson upon his death in combat3
in Operation Enduring Freedom.4
WHEREAS, Sergeant Patrick Williamson was a 2004 graduate of St. Thomas More5
High School in Lafayette, Louisiana, where he earned a scholarship to study petroleum6
engineering; and7
WHEREAS, he attended the University of Louisiana in Lafayette for two years,8
where he earned a major in mechanical engineering, before he decided on a new direction9
for his life and enlisted in the United States Army on August 3, 2006; and10
WHEREAS, Sgt. Williamson's entry into the armed forces of his country surprised11
no one who knew him and understood the deeply patriotic feelings he held about serving his12
nation in uniform; and13
WHEREAS, he emerged as a leader during his tough basic combat training at the14
post known as a legendary builder of warriors, Ft. Benning, Georgia, before he received15
orders for Advanced Infantry Training at Ft. Lewis, Washington; and16
WHEREAS, Sgt. Williamson had several attractive options and opportunities to17
pursue in the military due to his outstanding performance on aptitude tests he took during18 SR NO. 41
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his training; and1
WHEREAS, he felt that he could make the biggest difference as a soldier in the ranks2
of the infantry, where his personal, voluntary mission of fighting for his country could be3
accomplished; and4
WHEREAS, Sgt. Patrick Williamson was deployed to Afghanistan in July 2009,5
where he was assigned to the 1
st
Battalion, 17
th
Infantry Regiment, 5
th
Stryker Brigade6
Combat Team, 2
nd
Infantry Division; and7
WHEREAS, his mission in the southern province of Kandahar was to challenge the8
large presence of Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters and their huge operation of poppy9
cultivation for the world drug trade; and10
WHEREAS, Sgt. Williamson and his fellow soldiers were on a mission to search and11
clear an area in the Arghandab Valley on October 27, 2009, when they were engaged by a12
force of heavily armed enemy combatants; and13
WHEREAS, Sgt. Williamson and six other members of his unit were mortally14
wounded by an improvised explosive device during the fierce fighting that hit their armored15
patrol that day; and16
WHEREAS, the brave action of Sgt. Williamson and his men reflects the highest17
standards of courage and combat service that American infantrymen can be asked to attain;18
and19
WHEREAS, those who loved Sgt. Williamson are filled with great pride in the20
manner in which he conducted himself during his uniformed service to his country in a21
distant war, and they are also filled with the terrible sadness and the great sense of loss that22
comes with such sacrifice; and23
WHEREAS, his true love, Cydney, his parents, Leon and Sybil and his sister, Betsey,24
and brother, Max, will keep forever alive the memory of Sgt. Williamson.25
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana26
does hereby extend its deepest and most profound condolences to the loved ones of Sgt.27
Patrick Williamson for their sacrifice and his heroic service to his country.28
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the29
family of Sergeant Patrick Williamson.30 SR NO. 41
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Heyward Jeffers.
DIGEST
Marionneaux SR No.
Expresses condolences upon the death of United States Army Sergeant Patrick Williamson.