82R31934 JGH-D
By: Gonzales of Hidalgo H.R. No. 2557
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately express the sorrow felt by
family and friends at the loss of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Bradley
Espinoza of Alton, who died in Iraq on October 19, 2009, at the age
of 26; and
WHEREAS, A combat engineer assigned to the 1st Battalion,
12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry
Division, out of Fort Hood, Staff Sergeant Espinoza was killed by an
improvised explosive device in Qayyarah West, Iraq; and
WHEREAS, Bradley Espinoza was born in San Juan, Texas, on
September 12, 1983; after graduating from Mission High School in
2002, he enlisted in the U.S. Army; he was serving his third tour of
duty in Iraq at the time of his passing; and
WHEREAS, During his years in the military, Staff Sergeant
Espinoza earned numerous awards and decorations, including the Army
Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense
Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; in
recognition of his ultimate sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded
the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, Our state and nation are fortunate to have men and
women whose love for their country inspires them to take up military
service, yet the tragic death of this brave young man is a sobering
reminder of the perils they face in times of war; Staff Sergeant
Espinoza embodied the highest ideals of the U.S. armed forces, and
those who knew and loved 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 Staff Sergeant
Bradley Espinoza and extend sincere condolences to the members of
his family: to his wife, Maria Espinoza; to his children, Joseph and
Celeste Espinoza; to his mother, Magdalena Espinoza, and his
father, Miguel A. Deleon; to his brothers and sisters, Gabriel,
Miguel, Vanessa, and Valeria; to his maternal grandparents, Reyes
and Maria Loredo; to his paternal grandparents, Amel Deleon and
Felizida Deleon; 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 Bradley
Espinoza.