H.R. No. 2026
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately express the sorrow felt at
the loss of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Carlos Alonzo Benitez of
Carrollton, who died on October 14, 2010, at the age of 24; and
WHEREAS, Assigned to the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment,
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Staff Sergeant
Benitez was based at Fort Carson, Colorado; he was killed in action
while bravely serving his nation in Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, This valiant Texan was born to Luis Benitez and
Imelda Castillo in Lubbock on November 21, 1985; a gifted athlete,
he played football for Dan F. Long Middle School and Creekview High
School, both in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district,
while growing up, and he also played soccer with a local club; in
2004, he fulfilled his longtime dream of joining the army when he
enlisted at the age of 18; he completed two tours of duty in Iraq
before deploying to Afghanistan in July 2010; deeply proud of his
service in the military, he hoped to make the army a career; and
WHEREAS, Among the many awards conferred on Staff Sergeant
Benitez were the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Good Conduct
Medal, as well as the National Defense Service Medal, the
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a bronze star, the Iraq Campaign
Medal with four bronze stars, and the Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal; and
WHEREAS, Carlos Benitez was the loving husband of Susana
Benitez, whom he wed on January 11, 2008, and the devoted father of
two children, Angelina and Ethan; and
WHEREAS, Remembered as a kind, honorable man, Staff Sergeant
Benitez embodied the highest standards of the U.S. armed forces,
and his valiant efforts and immense sacrifice are deserving of
recognition by every American; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of U.S. Army Staff
Sergeant Carlos Alonzo Benitez and extend deepest sympathy to the
members of his family: to his wife, Susana Benitez; to his children,
Angelina and Ethan Benitez; to his mother, Imelda Castillo; to his
father, Luis Benitez; to his brother, Louis Benitez; to his sister,
Aimmee Benitez; to his grandmother, Juanita Castillo; to his
mother-in-law, Dilcia Acosta; 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 Carlos Benitez.
Solomons
Anchia
Jackson
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2026 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 26, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House