H.R. No. 1172
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends are mourning the tragic loss of
U.S. Army Specialist Jonathan David Arthur Emard, who died in Iraq
on June 4, 2008, at the age of 20; and
WHEREAS, "J. D." Emard was born in Dallas on May 17, 1988, to
David and Debbie Emard; he grew up in Garland and Terrell and
graduated from Boles High School in Quinlan, where he was a member
of the soccer team and the varsity football team; a young man of
many interests, he also participated in the teen productions at
Rockwall Community Playhouse theater; and
WHEREAS, While a senior in high school, Specialist Emard
enlisted in the U.S. Army, and he became an airborne ranger assigned
to 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team,
10th Mountain Division, based in Fort Drum, New York; he was
deployed to Iraq in August of 2007; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Emard was a courageous and highly
decorated soldier; he received numerous awards for his
distinguished service, including a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart with
two oak leaf clusters, and a National Defense Service Medal; he also
demonstrated great compassion when he attempted to save the life of
a young Iraqi girl who had been gravely injured by a rocket
propelled grenade; and
WHEREAS, An outstanding marksman from an early age,
Specialist Emard was a sniper recon, and he earned expert weapons
and rifle badges; and
WHEREAS, He was known for his humor, his outgoing nature, and
his genuine affection for people; he freely and openly gave his
friendship, provided comfort to those in distress, and defended the
oppressed; he carried memories of his beloved family with him to
sustain and lift his spirit during the trials of war and kept a
photograph of his six-month-old niece, Cina, in his helmet; and
WHEREAS, Through his unfaltering devotion to duty, honor, and
this country, J. D. Emard embodied the highest ideals of the United
States armed forces, and his fellow citizens owe him a debt of
gratitude that the passage of time can never diminish; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Specialist Jonathan
David Arthur Emard and extend deepest sympathy to his family: to his
parents, David and Debbie Emard; to his sister, Jennifer Marler,
and her husband, Justin; to his nieces, Riley "Cina" Marler and
Aeryel Marler; to his grandmother, Jean Emard; and to his other
relatives and many friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of J. D.
Emard.
Brown of Kaufman
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1172 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 25, 2009.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House