H.R. No. 2299
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The family and friends of U.S. Army Corporal Mathew
LaForest of Austin suffered an immeasurable loss with the death of
this courageous young man on May 25, 2007, at the age of 21; and
WHEREAS, Corporal LaForest was killed in combat in Taji,
Iraq, while bravely serving his nation as a member of the 4th
Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team,
2nd Infantry Division, based at Fort Lewis, Washington; and
WHEREAS, Born on February 7, 1986, at Clark Air Force Base in
the Philippines, Mathew LaForest was the son of Mark LaForest and
Deborah Turner; a 2004 graduate of Bowie High School in Austin, he
was a member of the Bowie Band and the Junior Reserve Officers'
Training Corps, and he played soccer with the Austin United Soccer
Club; his military service began shortly after he finished high
school when he enlisted in the U.S. Army; and
WHEREAS, Corporal LaForest was known for his quiet, easygoing
personality and his willingness to help anyone who needed a hand; he
enjoyed racing his car and spending time with friends, and his quick
and endearing smile was treasured by all who knew him; and
WHEREAS, Through his unwavering dedication to duty, honor,
and this country, Corporal LaForest embodied the highest ideals of
the United States armed services, and his fellow citizens owe him a
debt of remembrance 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 life of U.S. Army Corporal
Mathew LaForest and extend deepest condolences to the members of
his family: to his father, Mark LaForest, and his wife, Suzette; to
his mother, Deborah Baughn, and her husband, Dana; to his sister,
Jessica LaForest; to his brothers, Devon Mitchell and Brandon
Baughn; to his grandparents, Judy LaForest and Donald and Sandra
Turner; to his uncles, Bill and Mike LaForest; to his aunts, Lonnee
Rorison and her husband, Steve, and Tammy Lacy and her husband,
Mike; 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 U.S. Army
Corporal Mathew LaForest.
Corte
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2299 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 21, 2009.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House