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Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 48
BY SENATORS ADLEY, ALARIO, ALLAIN, AMEDEE, APPEL, BROOME, BROWN,
BUFFINGTON, CHABERT, CLAI TOR, CORTEZ, CROWE,
DONAHUE, DORSEY-COLOMB, ERDEY, GALLOT, GUILLORY,
HEITMEIER, JOHNS, KOSTELKA, LAFLEUR, LONG, MARTINY,
MILLS, MORRELL, MORRISH , MURRAY, NEVERS, PEACOCK,
PERRY, PETERSON, RISER, GARY SMITH, JOHN SMITH,
TARVER, THOMPSON, WALSWORTH, WARD AND WHI TE
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of United States Army Staff Sergeant Michael Garcia in ground combat in
Operation Enduring Freedom.
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Garcia was a native of Big Spring, Texas, but he and his
family later relocated to Bossier City, Louisiana, and he graduated from Bossier High School
in 2001; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Garcia attended Louisiana Tech in Ruston, Louisiana,
before he enlisted in the United States Army in 2004 and began his military career as an
explosives technician; and
WHEREAS, while Staff Sergeant Garcia knew the dangers involved with being an
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, he trained hard, rose through the ranks, and was
recognized by those he served with as an expert EOD man; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Garcia was assigned to the 705
th
Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Company at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and was an EOD Team Leader with the unit
when it deployed to Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Garcia had served two tours of duty in Iraq before he
began his third middle eastern combat deployment as he and his fellow soldiers were
assigned to Wardak Province, Afghanistan, to support the 10
th
Mountain Division, 2
nd
Battalion, 4
th
Infantry; and SR NO. 48 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Garcia was a seasoned veteran of the war on terrorism,
even though he was still a young man, only twenty-seven years old, as he performed his
dangerous job of disarming explosives and disposing of them; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Garcia and his unit came under attack by enemy
insurgents on July 4, 2011, and was mortally wounded by an improvised explosive device
as a result of the engagement; and
WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Garcia had been recognized for his bravery and service
in uniform and his awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with V Device for
combat valor, three Purple Hearts, NATO Medal, Army Commendation Medal, three Army
Achievement Medals, Navy Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous
Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense
Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Iraq Campaign Medal
with two campaign stars, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Humanitarian Service
Medal, Army Service Ribbon, two Overseas Service Ribbons, the Combat Action Badge,
Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, as well as Driver and Mechanic Badges.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby extend its deepest and most profound condolences to the family of Staff
Sergeant Michael Garcia for their immeasurable loss and his ultimate sacrifice in the service
of his country.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
father, David Garcia.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE