PRINTER'S NO. 3061
No. 506 Session of 2005
INTRODUCED BY SANTONI, DeWEESE, PERZEL, GEORGE, CRUZ, SAINATO,
SHANER, GEIST, BISHOP, FEESE, BEYER, YOUNGBLOOD, MARKOSEK,
CORRIGAN, RUBLEY, B. SMITH, DALEY, RAPP, BUXTON, PAYNE,
STEIL, BALDWIN, MANN, DONATUCCI, GRUCELA, RAMALEY, SATHER,
CREIGHTON, R. MILLER, LEDERER, MELIO, READSHAW, KAUFFMAN,
R. STEVENSON, BAKER, ROHRER, CAPPELLI, GODSHALL, PYLE,
HERMAN, McGILL, STABACK, FLEAGLE, WALKO, KILLION, YUDICHAK,
HERSHEY, PETRONE, WOJNAROSKI, NAILOR, MILLARD, PALLONE,
COSTA, SOLOBAY, SHAPIRO, MUSTIO, ROEBUCK, PICKETT,
HICKERNELL, FAIRCHILD, MAHER, MICOZZIE, SIPTROTH, KOTIK,
METCALFE, BEBKO-JONES, LEVDANSKY, CLYMER, WANSACZ, TRUE,
GINGRICH, BUNT, O'NEILL, FICHTER, McILHATTAN, SURRA,
REICHLEY, ZUG, LEH, FORCIER, TIGUE, EACHUS, SCAVELLO,
MAITLAND, KIRKLAND, MANDERINO, BENNINGHOFF, HARPER, FRANKEL,
WATERS, SCHRODER, MAJOR, BOYD, PHILLIPS, WILT, HARHAI,
HARRIS, S. MILLER, GRELL, McNAUGHTON, BASTIAN, J. TAYLOR,
E. Z. TAYLOR, FREEMAN, MARSICO, CAUSER, M. KELLER, CRAHALLA,
HENNESSEY, MUNDY, TANGRETTI, GOODMAN, CALTAGIRONE, J. EVANS
AND ALLEN, NOVEMBER 4, 2005
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
NOVEMBER 4, 2005
A RESOLUTION
1 Paying tribute to and honoring the memory of Sergeant William V.
2 Fernandez, a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's
3 2nd Brigade Combat Team, who tragically lost his life on
4 September 19, 2005, while on active duty in Iraq.
5 WHEREAS, Sgt. Fernandez was a resident of Lower Alsace
6 Township, Berks County, and served with the Pennsylvania Army
7 National Guard's Troop B, 1st Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment,
8 28th Infantry Division, based out of Philadelphia; and
9 WHEREAS, Prior to deployment, Sgt. Fernandez served with the
10 337th Engineer Battalion, Reading, and the Fort Indiantown Gap-
1 based Long Range Surveillance Detachment; and
2 WHEREAS, Sgt. Fernandez served in the United States Army from
3 1986 to 1991, including deployment in Panama as part of
4 Operation Just Cause, before reenlisting in the Pennsylvania
5 Army National Guard in 2003; and
6 WHEREAS, Sgt. Fernandez was serving in Iraq when an
7 improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy while on
8 patrol in Ar Ramadi, Al Anbar Province, Iraq; and
9 WHEREAS, Sgt. Fernandez is the first Berks County native to
10 make the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Operation Iraqi
11 Freedom; and
12 WHEREAS, Sgt. Fernandez was promoted from the rank of Army
13 Specialist to Army Sergeant and was awarded the Purple Heart
14 posthumously; and
15 WHEREAS, Sgt. Fernandez was the recipient of several other
16 military awards and decorations during his military career,
17 including the Bronze Star; and
18 WHEREAS, Sgt. Fernandez was 37 years old and was preceded in
19 death by his father, Guillermo Valentin; and
20 WHEREAS, Sgt. Fernandez is survived by his wife, Jennifer;
21 stepdaughter, Elizabeth Duesterhoeft; mother, Carmen Fernandez;
22 sister, Milagros Valentin; two brothers, Jose Fernandez and
23 Sergeant David Vasquez; stepfather, Santos Lozada; and maternal
24 grandparents, Felipe Fernandez and Juana Mellan; and
25 WHEREAS, Sgt. Fernandez bravely and heroically volunteered
26 for duty in Iraq so that he could protect his family and all
27 Americans who cherish freedom and he made the ultimate sacrifice
28 in that endeavor; therefore be it
29 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives pay tribute to
30 and honor the memory of Sergeant William V. Fernandez, with
20050H0506R3061 - 2 -
1 gratitude for his courage, leadership and selflessness in the
2 fight for freedom on behalf of the citizens of this Commonwealth
3 and our nation; and be it further
4 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives extend deepest
5 condolences to Sgt. Fernandez's family and friends.
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