ENROLLED
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 79
BY REPRESENTATIVE COX
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To express the condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of Lieutenant
Colonel Retired Michael J. Jones.
WHEREAS, it is with profound sadness that the members of the Legislature of
Louisiana have learned of the death of Lieutenant Colonel Retired Michael J. Jones on
November 28, 2014; and
WHEREAS, on August 2, 1963, Joe and Mary Jones Franklin proudly welcomed the
arrival of their newborn son, Michael J. Jones, to Pineville, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Michael J. Jones attended Hanna School and Coushatta High School;
he was an exceptionally intelligent and dedicated student; he was also very active in sports
and popular among his peers; and
WHEREAS, Michael was a member of the National Honor Society, Who's Who, and
was a Distinguished American High School Student; after his high school graduation in May
of 1981, he enrolled at Southern University Agricultural and Mechanical College in Baton
Rouge, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, during his years at Southern University, Michael J. Jones was a member
of the Pershing Rifles and an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated; and
WHEREAS, he graduated from Southern University with a bachelor of science
degree in engineering and went on to obtain a master of science degree in adult education
from Kansas State University; and
WHEREAS, on May 16, 1986, Michael J. Jones was commissioned in the United
States Army Corps of Engineers; upon completion of the Engineer Officer Basic Course, he
was assigned to the 547th Engineer Battalion in Darmstadt, Germany, where he served as
a combat engineer platoon leader and as a company executive officer; and
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WHEREAS, in 1990, he was assigned as the Brigade Assistant S-3 in the 130th
Engineer Brigade; two years later, he assumed company command of the 568th Engineer
Company in Hanau, Germany, and in May of 1992, he moved the company to Fort Carson,
Colorado; and
WHEREAS, in April of 1993, Lieutenant Colonel Jones deployed to Somalia in
support of Operation Continue Hope; upon his return from deployment, he was reassigned
as Project Engineer for the Defense Nuclear Agency in Albuquerque, New Mexico; from
November of 1996 until July of 1999, he served as the AC/RC Advisor for the 150th
Engineer Battalion; after graduating from the Command and General Staff Officer College,
he served as the Executive Officer for the 588th Engineer Battalion and the Assistant
Division Engineer for the 4th Infantry Division; and
WHEREAS, in April of 2003, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom;
from August of 2003 until June of 2004, Lieutenant Colonel Jones served as the Deputy
Eighth United States Army Engineer; Lieutenant Colonel Jones served his country in Kabul,
Afghanistan from November of 2005 until June of 2006, as the Deputy, CJ7, for the
Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, he served as the Director of the Installation Management Division for
the Office of the Program Manager, Saudi Arabian National Guard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
from August of 2006 until July of 2009; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Jones served the United States Army with great
courage and valor as evidenced by his receipt of numerous medals, some of which include
the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with four
oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Joint
Service Commendation Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Iraq
Campaign Medal with two campaign stars; and
WHEREAS, on October 1, 2009, Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. Jones retired from
the United States Army and immediately began his civilian career with OPM-SANG as the
executive officer for the program manager; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Retired Jones' passion for his country will forever
remain in the minds and hearts of all who knew and loved this brave man; he left an
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incredible mark on his family, friends, community, the state of Louisiana, and the United
States of America.
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the Legislature of Louisiana records for
posterity the extraordinary dedication and commitment to his country that Lieutenant
Colonel Retired Michael J. Jones displayed throughout his life and in the performance of his
duties in the military service.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express its condolences and most heartfelt sorrow to the family of Lieutenant Colonel
Retired Michael J. Jones and does hereby acknowledge and record for posterity the unique
and special contributions of Lieutenant Colonel Retired Jones to the state of Louisiana and
to the United States of America.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the family of Lieutenant Colonel Retired Michael J. Jones.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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