81R37398 JKB-D
By: Orr H.R. No. 2663
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The family and friends of U.S. Army Corporal Thomas
Layton Hilbert of Venus suffered an immeasurable loss with the
death of this valiant soldier on September 7, 2007, at the age of
20; and
WHEREAS, A cavalry scout assigned to the 1st Squadron, 9th
Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division,
stationed at Fort Bliss, Corporal Hilbert was mortally injured
during combat operations in Mosul, Iraq; a specialist at the time of
his death, he was posthumously promoted to corporal and awarded a
Purple Heart and a Bronze Star; and
WHEREAS, Born on January 14, 1987, Thomas Hilbert served his
community as a firefighter with the Venus Volunteer Fire
Department; he graduated in 2005 from Venus High School and
subsequently enlisted in the army; an enthusiastic and endearing
young man, he was devoted to his family, friends, and fellow
soldiers; and
WHEREAS, Corporal Hilbert was the recipient of several
decorations, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Army
Service Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Iraq Campaign
Medal; and
WHEREAS, Our state and nation are fortunate to have men and
women whose love of country leads them to military duty, and time
can never diminish the profound debt that Americans owe to Thomas
Hilbert for the service he undertook and the sacrifice he rendered;
and
WHEREAS, Through his selfless devotion to duty, honor, and
his country, Corporal Hilbert embodied the highest ideals of the
U.S. armed forces, and his memory will be forever treasured by those
who shared in the blessing of his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Corporal Thomas
Layton Hilbert and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
family: to his parents, Thomas and Theresa Hilbert; to his sisters,
BillieJo Alexander and her husband, Alex, and Jennifer Jones; to
his grandparents, Layton and Janet James; to his nieces, Lauren and
Kaitlin Alexander; to his nephews, Jacob Jones and William
Alexander; 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 Corporal
Thomas Hilbert.