H.R. No. 1329
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Justin Rokohl of Orange Grove has
rendered valiant service in Iraq and Afghanistan as a member of the
United States Marine Corps; and
WHEREAS, A 2005 graduate of Orange Grove High School,
Corporal Rokohl followed a long-standing family tradition when he
joined the armed forces; trained as a machine gunner, he served in
Iraq in 2007 and has most recently been deployed to Afghanistan as a
member of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Company G,
Weapons Platoon; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Rokohl sustained serious injuries on the
morning of June 19, 2008, when the Humvee in which he was riding was
struck by an IED; blown out of the vehicle, he was pulled to safety
by fellow marines, and since then he has undergone multiple
surgeries, both in Germany and the United States; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his ordeal, Corporal Rokohl's
indomitable spirit has continued to shine through; renowned among
his family and friends for his love of life, this courageous Texan
is tackling his recovery with the same no-holds-barred
determination that he has brought to all his endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Rokohl and his family are integral members
of the Orange Grove community and the Cross Trails Cowboy Church,
and their neighbors and fellow congregants have been staunchly
supportive of their hometown hero; one measure of the esteem in
which Corporal Rokohl is held was evident in the overwhelming
response to a blood drive that was organized in his honor; people
came from as far away as Alice and Corpus Christi, and a second
blood center bus had to be called in to accommodate all those
wishing to donate; and
WHEREAS, The grit and tenacity that Justin Rokohl brings to
his work as a marine are the same qualities that led him to be named
an all-district defensive end on his high school football team;
endowed with natural athletic ability, he also ran track, and he is
currently intent on honing his roping skills; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Rokohl's devotion to service has kindled an
interest in a law enforcement career, following his return to
civilian life; he has expressed a desire to join the border patrol
and ultimately to serve as sheriff of Jim Wells County; and
WHEREAS, On July 3, 2008, President George W. Bush personally
presented a Purple Heart medal and citation to Corporal Rokohl at
the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland; and
WHEREAS, In the face of great hardship and danger, Corporal
Rokohl has embodied the highest ideals of the United States Marine
Corps, and he has earned the lasting respect and gratitude of all
Americans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor Marine Lance Corporal Justin Rokohl for
his steadfast service to this country and extend to him sincere best
wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Corporal Rokohl as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Gonzalez Toureilles
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1329 was adopted by the House on April
15, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House