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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 43
BY SENATOR MARIONNEAUX
CONDOLENCES. Extends condolences to the family of U.S. Army Specialist Matthew
Powell upon his death in Afghanistan.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of2
Louisiana to the family of United States Army Specialist Matthew Powell upon his3
death in Afghanistan.4
WHEREAS, Matthew Powell was a native of Slidell, Louisiana, growing up there,5
receiving his education there and being an active member of the Grace Memorial Baptist6
Church from his Sunday school days until he joined the United States Army in 2008 after7
high school; and8
WHEREAS, before he departed for the military, Matthew Powell told the9
congregation how grateful he was to have the church in his life and what a difference he felt10
it had made to him personally; and11
WHEREAS, after his basic combat training, Specialist Powell was stationed at Ft.12
Campbell, Kentucky, where he was a motor transport operator, assigned to Company A,13
526
th
Brigade Support Battalion, 2
nd
Brigade Combat Team, of the legendary 101
st
Airborne14
Division (Air Assault); and15
WHEREAS, Specialist Powell trained hard and sharpened his military skills as he16
and his fellow soldiers prepared for a year-long deployment to Afghanistan, where the17
Global War On Terror was heating up; and18 SR NO. 43
SLS 11RS-484 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, Specialist Powell was acutely aware of the constant danger involved1
with participating in Operation Enduring Freedom, and this danger was brought home to him2
first hand when a roadside explosive device destroyed the Humvee he was riding in, killing3
everyone inside but him; and4
WHEREAS, as Specialist Powell recovered from his injuries sustained in the bomb5
blast, he traveled home to Slidell for a few weeks to see friends and family, but he knew he6
would certainly return to the war in order to complete the remainder of the tour of duty he7
and his comrades had begun; and8
WHEREAS, the twenty-year-old soldier was part of a mounted patrol near Ghunday9
Ghar on October, 13, 2010, when the vehicle in which he was riding was struck by another10
roadside bomb, but this time, Specialist Powell was mortally wounded in the attack and died11
in Kandahar while receiving medical treatment; and12
WHEREAS, while the family, friends and loved ones of Specialist Powell were13
stricken by his sacrifice, they were also filled with pride over knowing a man willing to14
serve and fight for his country.15
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana16
does hereby extend its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of United States17
Army Specialist Matthew Powell for his great service and sacrifice on behalf of his country18
and their unbearable loss.19
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the20
family of Specialist Matthew Powell.21
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Heyward Jeffers.
DIGEST
Marionneaux SR No. 43
Expresses condolences upon the death of U.S. Army Specialist Matthew Powell.