82R19557 MGR-D
By: Hunter H.R. No. 1252
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately express the heartache felt
at the loss of U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jose Luis Maldonado
of Mathis, who died while serving his country on December 17, 2010,
at the age of 21; and
WHEREAS, Assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment,
1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp
Pendleton, California, Lance Corporal Maldonado enlisted in the
Marine Corps in 2007 and was deployed to Afghanistan in September
2010; he was mortally wounded while supporting combat operations in
Helmand Province; and
WHEREAS, Born on January 24, 1989, in Brooks County, Jose
Maldonado attended elementary and junior high school in Baytown and
high school in Mathis; known for his athleticism, he was a star
football and baseball player and earned district honors in both
sports; he graduated from Mathis High School in 2007; three years
later, he married Jackie De La Garza, and the couple enjoyed a happy
and rewarding relationship; admired for his strength of character
and intelligence, Lance Corporal Maldonado was also caring,
playful, and protective of those he loved; and
WHEREAS, Among the many military honors he received were the
Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Combat Action
Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghanistan
Campaign Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the Good
Conduct Medal; and
WHEREAS, Our state and nation are fortunate to have men and
women whose love of country inspires them to serve, yet the tragic
death of this brave young Texan is a sobering reminder of the cost
of war; Jose Maldonado exemplified the highest ideals of the U.S.
armed forces, and those who knew him will forever carry him 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 U.S. Marine Corps
Lance Corporal Jose Luis Maldonado and extend deepest sympathy to
the members of his family: to his wife, Jackie De La Garza; to his
aunt and uncle, Alicia and George Williams; to his brothers, Eric
and Eddie Vera; to his sisters, Darlynna Mejia and Emily Vera; to
his nephew, Jaiden Mejia; to his cousins, Jessica Williams,
Stefanie Pena, and Juan Garcia; to his mother, Oralia Maldonado; to
his grandmothers, Ester Maldonado and Bertha Flores; 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 Lance
Corporal Jose Maldonado.