EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Whereas, The history of the United States of America reveals that our

1-2 peaceful tranquility and pursuit of happiness have often been threatened or

1-3 interrupted by the enemies of freedom; and

1-4 Whereas, Millions of Americans have defended our nation and

1-5 defended people from other countries who have been downtrodden and

1-6 persecuted in an effort to preserve the cause of freedom and the human

1-7 rights of all mankind; and

2-1 Whereas, The most unselfish contribution that a person can make

2-2 toward the good of a democratic society is to agree to serve as a soldier and

2-3 risk being placed in harm’s way; and

2-4 Whereas, On Wednesday, March 31, 1999, three United States

2-5 servicemen who were attached to the 4th Cavalry of the Army’s 1st Infantry

2-6 Division, based in Germany, were captured while acting as lookouts for a

2-7 contingent of NATO’s peacekeeping force in Macedonia; and

2-8 Whereas, These brave soldiers have been identified as Specialist

2-9 Steven M. Gonzales, 21, of Huntsville, Texas, Staff Sergeant Andrew A.

2-10 Ramirez, 24, of Los Angeles, California, and Staff Sergeant Christopher J.

2-11 Stone, 25, of Smiths Creek, Michigan; and

2-12 Whereas, Specialist Steven Gonzales, described as a likable, bright

2-13 athlete, graduated from Palestine High School in 1995 in the top 10 percent

2-14 of his class and won a scholarship to Texas A&M which he attended for 1

2-15 year before leaving to pursue his dream of joining an elite Army corps; and

2-16 Whereas, Staff Sergeant Andrew Ramirez, known as an "all-American

2-17 kid," graduated from high school in 1992 and shortly thereafter joined the

2-18 Army to follow in the footsteps of his hero, older brother Steven, an Army

2-19 veteran, who is now a Los Angeles police detective; and

2-20 Whereas, Staff Sergeant Christopher J. Stone has a wife, Tricia, and a

2-21 4-year-old son, Ryan, and graduated from Capac High School in 1991

2-22 where he was described as friendly and well-liked by both students and

2-23 teachers; and

2-24 Whereas, These three Americans have demonstrated courage and

2-25 bravery for which all Americans can truly be proud; and

2-26 Whereas, In the captured soldiers’ hometowns, friends and family

2-27 members have strung yellow ribbons all around their communities as

2-28 symbols of families waiting for soldiers to return from war; now, therefore,

2-29 be it

2-30 Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of Nevada,

2-31 Jointly, That the members of the Nevada Legislature do hereby commend

2-32 and praise Specialist Steven M. Gonzales, Staff Sergeant Andrew A.

2-33 Ramirez and Staff Sergeant Christopher J. Stone, for their undaunted spirit

2-34 and courage upon being taken captive in Yugoslavia; and be it further

2-35 Resolved, That this legislative body encourages the residents of the

2-36 State of Nevada to demonstrate their feelings of concern and support for

2-37 these brave young men by stringing yellow ribbons at appropriate locations

2-38 within their communities; and be it further

2-39 Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit a

2-40 copy of this resolution to the families of Specialist Steven M. Gonzales,

2-41 Staff Sergeant Andrew A. Ramirez and Staff Sergeant Christopher J. Stone;

2-42 and be it further

3-1 Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon passage and

3-2 approval.