SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 942
In Memory
of
Andrew Michael Pedersen-Keel
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of United States Army Captain Andrew
Michael Pedersen-Keel, who died in the line of duty March 11,
2013, at the age of 28 while serving his country in Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Andrew Pedersen-Keel was born June 8, 1984, in
South Miami, Florida; he earned a degree in American legal
studies from the United States Military Academy at West Point in
2006, and he entered active duty military service as an Infantry
Rifle Platoon leader with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st
Infantry Division, at Fort Hood; and
WHEREAS, He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 and served
for 12 months; during that time, he led his platoon on more than
150 combat foot patrols and three air assault operations and was
promoted to captain; upon his return, he volunteered for and
completed the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and
was assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group as a detachment
commander in August of 2012; he was deployed with the unit to
Afghanistan, and he was involved with training the Afghan Army at
the time of his death; and
WHEREAS, His many commendations and citations included two
Bronze Stars, the Army Commendation Medal, and the National
Defense Service Medal; he was posthumously awarded a third Bronze
Star and a Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, A young man of courage and strength, he had a
profoundinfluenceonthesoldierswithwhomheserved,andhis
spirit continues to live on in the hearts and minds of those who
fought beside him; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his ultimate sacrifice in the
Global War on Terror, Captain Pedersen-Keel is being
posthumously honored at a Joint Memorial Day Ceremony in the
Texas House of Representatives on May 23, 2015; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Captain Andrew Michael Pedersen-Keel; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of Andrew Michael Pedersen-Keel.
Watson
Bettencourt Hall Perry Bettencourt Hall Perry
Bettencourt Hall Perry
Birdwell Hancock Rodríguez Birdwell Hancock Rodríguez
Birdwell Hancock Rodríguez
Burton Hinojosa Schwertner Burton Hinojosa Schwertner
Burton Hinojosa Schwertner
Campbell Huffines Seliger Campbell Huffines Seliger
Campbell Huffines Seliger
Creighton Huffman Taylor of Galveston Creighton Huffman Taylor of Galveston
Creighton Huffman Taylor of Galveston
Ellis Kolkhorst Taylor of Collin Ellis Kolkhorst Taylor of Collin
Ellis Kolkhorst Taylor of Collin
Eltife Lucio Uresti Eltife Lucio Uresti
Eltife Lucio Uresti
Estes Menéndez West Estes Menéndez West
Estes Menéndez West
Fraser Nelson Whitmire Fraser Nelson Whitmire
Fraser Nelson Whitmire
Garcia Nichols Zaffirini Garcia Nichols Zaffirini
Garcia Nichols Zaffirini
Patrick, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 21, 2015, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Bettencourt Hall Perry
Birdwell Hancock Rodríguez
Burton Hinojosa Schwertner
Campbell Huffines Seliger
Creighton Huffman Taylor of Galveston
Ellis Kolkhorst Taylor of Collin
Eltife Lucio Uresti
Estes Menéndez West
Fraser Nelson Whitmire
Garcia Nichols Zaffirini