H.R. No. 105
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The family and friends of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant
Michael C. Murphrey of Snyder suffered an immeasurable loss with
his death on September 6, 2009, at the age of 25; and
WHEREAS, Assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 501st
Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry
Division, out of Fort Richardson, Alaska, Staff Sergeant Murphrey
was mortally wounded while bravely serving his country in Paktika
Province, Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Michael Murphrey was born in Dallas on May 19, 1984,
and attended elementary school in Clyde before moving to Snyder,
where his skill on the high school track and football teams
attracted the attention of university scouts; and
WHEREAS, Greatly affected by the September 11 attacks on
America, he became determined to enlist; an enjoyable skydiving
experience on his 17th birthday made him consider becoming a
paratrooper, and he joined the army soon after graduating from
Snyder High School in 2003; and
WHEREAS, Before his deployment to Afghanistan, Staff
Sergeant Murphrey served two tours of duty in Iraq; soldiers who
served with him overseas recall many instances of his selfless
loyalty to the men in his charge; and
WHEREAS, This courageous soldier was known for his athletic
abilities, his brilliant smile, and his devotion to the Texas
Longhorns and the Dallas Cowboys; in addition, he loved outdoor
activities such as hunting, fishing, and riding motorcycles, and he
had been teaching himself to play the guitar; and
WHEREAS, Among the awards conferred on Staff Sergeant
Murphrey were the Bronze Star and Purple Heart; a scholarship has
been created at Clyde High School in his name, in recognition of his
tremendous sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Murphrey married Ashley Martin of Georgia
on April 22, 2005, and they were the proud parents of two children,
Jaden and Cameron; and
WHEREAS, Exemplifying the highest ideals of the U.S. armed
forces, Michael Murphrey inspired others through his outstanding
leadership and fortitude, and although he is deeply missed, those
who loved him will forever carry his memory close in their hearts;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Staff Sergeant
Michael C. Murphrey and extend sincere condolences to the members
of his family: to his wife, Ashley Martin Murphrey; to his children,
Jaden and Cameron Murphrey; to his parents, Elvie and Evelyn
Murphrey; to his grandmother, Lillie Littlejohn; to his sisters,
Jeanie Rutherford and her husband, Adam, Wendy Stehouwer and her
husband, Ryan, Pearl McKay and her husband, B. J., and Krisa
Johnson and her husband, Rocky; to his nieces and nephews; and to
his other relatives and 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 Staff
Sergeant Michael C. Murphrey.
Hilderbran
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 105 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on February 24, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House