82R5861 JNC-D
By: Guillen H.C.R. No. 47
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Words cannot express the heartache felt at the loss
of U.S. Army Private First Class Ira Benjamin Laningham IV of
Zapata, who died in Afghanistan on January 7, 2011, at the age of
22; and
WHEREAS, Private Laningham enlisted in the army in November
2009, deploying to Afghanistan in October 2010; he bravely served
his country as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry
Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and his
courageous actions earned him the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple
Heart, and the National Defense Service Medal; and
WHEREAS, Born in Greenfield, Massachusetts, on
September 1, 1988, Ben Laningham graduated from Zapata High
School, where he was trumpet section leader in the marching band and
lead trumpet for Mariachi Halcon; he enjoyed playing his guitar and
video games and spending time with his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Americans owe a profound debt to our nation's
servicemen and servicewomen, whose courageous efforts and enormous
sacrifices are deserving of their fellow citizens' deepest respect
and gratitude; through his unwavering dedication to duty and honor,
Ben Laningham embodied the highest ideals of the United States
Army, and memories of his love and friendship will forever be
cherished by all those who held him dear; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby pay tribute to the life of U.S. Army Private First Class Ira
Benjamin Laningham IV and extend deepest sympathy to the members of
his family: to his parents, Norma and Enrique Cantu; to his
siblings, Private Joseph Cantu, Enrique Cantu, and Amanda Cantu; to
his grandparents, Lauro and Olinda Guerra and Humberto and
Felicitas Cantu; 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 and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory
of Private Ira Benjamin Laningham IV.