FILE NUMBER........

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

peaceful tranquillity and pursuit of happiness have often been threatened or

interrupted by the enemies of freedom; and

Whereas, Millions of Americans have defended our nation and

defended people from other countries who have been downtrodden and

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

rights of all mankind; and

Whereas, The most unselfish contribution that a person can make

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

risk being placed in harm’s way; and

Whereas, On Wednesday, March 31, 1999, three United States

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

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

contingent of NATO’s peacekeeping force in Macedonia; and

Whereas, These brave soldiers have been identified as Specialist

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

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

Stone, 25, of Smiths Creek, Michigan; and

Whereas, Specialist Steven Gonzales, described as a likable, bright

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

teachers; and

Whereas, These three Americans have demonstrated courage and

bravery for which all Americans can truly be proud; and

Whereas, In the captured soldiers’ hometowns, friends and family

members have strung yellow ribbons all around their communities as

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

be it

Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of Nevada,

Jointly, That the members of the Nevada Legislature do hereby commend

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

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

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

Resolved, That this legislative body encourages the residents of the

State of Nevada to demonstrate their feelings of concern and support for

these brave young men by stringing yellow ribbons at appropriate locations

within their communities; and be it further

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

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

Staff Sergeant Andrew A. Ramirez and Staff Sergeant Christopher J. Stone;

and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution becomes effective upon passage and

approval.

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