H.R. No. 1748
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, United States Army Sergeant Monica Lin Brown of Lake
Jackson has been awarded the Silver Star for her extraordinary
heroism; and
WHEREAS, On April 25, 2007, this brave soldier, who then held
the rank of specialist, was serving as a military medic in
Afghanistan; part of a patrol convoy that came under attack by
insurgents, she demonstrated true courage and commitment by rushing
to aid wounded soldiers in a Humvee that had been hit by an
explosive device; and
WHEREAS, The insurgents targeted mortar and small-arms fire
on the damaged vehicle, and Specialist Brown and the wounded troops
she was treating faced a further threat when ammunition in the
burning Humvee began to detonate; in the hail of bullets and
shrapnel, she used her body to shield her fallen comrades as she
tended to their injuries; and
WHEREAS, Thanks to the work of Specialist Brown and other
members of her unit, the wounded soldiers were moved to a safer
location and later evacuated; in commending her achievements on the
battlefield, the army noted that her "bravery, unselfish actions,
and medical aid rendered under fire saved the lives of her comrades
and represents the finest traditions of heroism in combat"; and
WHEREAS, She was presented with the Silver Star by Vice
President Dick Cheney on March 20, 2008, when she was just 19 years
old, and she has the proud distinction of being the nation's
youngest recipient of that esteemed medal; and
WHEREAS, This seventh-generation Texan has since been
promoted to the rank of sergeant and is assigned to the 82nd
Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; she intends
to earn a nursing degree and hopes to serve as an army officer after
graduation; in addition to her continuing duties in uniform, she
has assisted the Military Moms organization in its worthwhile
efforts to support U.S. soldiers; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Brown's actions during combat stand as a
tribute to the training and preparedness being offered by the
United States military and to the exemplary service of so many young
men and women defending their nation today; and
WHEREAS, Though she humbly maintains that she was only doing
her job on that fateful April day in Afghanistan, Monica Lin Brown
has proven herself a true hero; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Sergeant Monica Lin Brown for
receiving the Silver Star and commend her valiant performance as a
member of the armed forces; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Sergeant Brown as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Bonnen
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1748 was adopted by the House on May
11, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House