81R23769 BPG-D
By: Castro H.R. No. 2064
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The friends and family of U.S. Army Specialist
Marquis J. McCants of San Antonio suffered an immeasurable loss
with the death of this valiant paratrooper in Iraq on May 18, 2007,
at the age of 23; and
WHEREAS, Assigned as a combat medic to the 1st Battalion,
325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd
Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Specialist
McCants was killed when his unit was attacked with an improvised
explosive device in Baghdad; and
WHEREAS, "Marq" McCants was born in Abilene on August 4,
1983, to Savage and Belinda McCants; he graduated from O'Connor
High School, where he made many friends, and worked in retail before
joining the Army in 2005; a talented songwriter, he hoped to earn a
degree in music and eventually start a hip-hop production company,
but he always put his family first and was deeply devoted to his
wife and three children; and
WHEREAS, After basic combat training in Fort Leonard Wood,
Missouri, Specialist McCants went on to complete combat medic
advanced individual training at Fort Sam Houston; he reported to
the 82nd Airborne Division in May 2006 and was assigned to 1st
Battalion, 325th Airborne as a trauma specialist; a dedicated and
respected professional, he provided lifesaving care to fellow
soldiers and to Iraqi citizens; he continued to study his medical
books late into the night and was eager to expand his knowledge; and
WHEREAS, His commanding officers held Specialist McCants in
the highest regard, and he received numerous military honors,
including a Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Badge,
the Combat Medical Badge, and the Parachutist Badge; generous and
kind, he was always ready to help his fellow soldiers, who called
him "Doc," and he raised the spirits of others with his ready grin
and lively sense of humor; he loved to talk about music, but his
favorite topic of conversation was his beloved family; and
WHEREAS, Admired by all who were privileged to know him,
Marquis McCants was a courageous American and an exemplary husband
and father, and the State of Texas and the nation mourn the loss of a
hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in behalf of his country; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of U.S. Army Specialist
Marquis McCants and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
family: to his wife, Andrea McCants; to his children, Azaria and
Micah McCants and Deja Martinez; to his parents, Savage and Belinda
McCants; to his brothers, Savage McCants III and Isaiah McCants; to
his sisters, Patrice Williams, Lisa Basch, and Brandi McCants; to
his mother-in-law, Patricia Patten, and her husband, Derrick; 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 Marquis
McCants.