Bill Text: MS SC516 | 2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commend life of Iraq casualty U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Johnny Roosevelt Polk of Gulfport, Mississippi.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2010-01-14 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC516 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2010-SC516-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Hewes, Dawkins, Blount, Browning, Butler, Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Davis, Dearing, Fillingane, Frazier, Hopson, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (15th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jones, King, Kirby, Lee (35th), McDaniel, Mettetal, Moffatt, Montgomery, Powell, Simmons, Stone, Ward, Watson, Wilemon
Senate Concurrent Resolution 516
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE GALLANT SERVICE AND COMMENDING THE LIFE OF MISSISSIPPI ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SERGEANT FIRST CLASS JOHNNY ROOSEVELT POLK OF GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, WHO DIED ON JULY 31, 2009, FROM WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION IN IRAQ, AND EXPRESSING THE SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, United States Army Sergeant First Class Johnny Roosevelt Polk, age 39, of Gulfport, Mississippi, died July 31, 2009, at a German hospital from wounds he suffered when his vehicle was struck by an antitank grenade on July 23, 2009, in Kirkuk, Iraq, while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant First Class Johnny Roosevelt Polk was a native son of Gulfport, Mississippi, a football standout at Harrison Central High School and a volunteer firefighter at the North Gulfport Fire Station. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division, at Fort Hood Texas; and
WHEREAS, the United States Army returned Sergeant Polk to his home in Gulfport. His body was escorted by a full military honor guard detail, and the Patriot Guard Riders rendered honors upon his return; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Polk entered the Army in March 1992 as a cannon crewmember. He had been assigned to his team since December 2008 and had been deployed to Iraq since January. Among his awards and decorations are: the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Metal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon; and
WHEREAS, among Polk's survivors are his wife, Wanonia Polk of Killeen, Texas; his children: Antoine J. Azeheart of Milton, Florida, who also serves in the military, Xavier D. Jones, Mary T. Gardner, Alvin L. Jones and D'Andra I. Jones, all of Killeen, Texas; two brothers: Walter B. Polk of Gulfport and Artha J. Polk of Picayune; and one sister, Mary A. Polk of Memphis, Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, his hometown of Gulfport is grieving the loss of this young hero. Carried by an Army Honor Guard and escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders, he returned to the family he loved and was buried with full military honors on Saturday, August 15, 2009, at Biloxi National Cemetery; and
WHEREAS, since operations began in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least 69 soldiers or sailors with Mississippi ties have died in action; and
WHEREAS, Johnny Roosevelt Polk was a loving father, who is counted among America's heroes, committed to our nation's safety and security. To a country, a fallen soldier means a national loss; to a community, a fallen soldier means a true hero; to a child, a fallen soldier means a father who won't be coming home. Mississippians understand the costs of conflict, because we have paid them in the past, and it is with great pride and humility that we recognize the heroic action of this great American and Mississippian, who was the guardian of civilization as we know it today:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby remember the gallant service and commend the life of Mississippi Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Johnny Roosevelt Polk Gulfport, Mississippi, who died on July 31, 2009, from wounds received in action in Iraq, and extend the thoughts and prayers of the Legislature to his family and our sorrow on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Sergeant Polk and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
