TITLE: In memory of the life of Paul A. Rivera.

SUMMARY: In memory of the life of Paul A. Rivera.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Family and friends will forever treasure their memories of United States Army Sergeant Paul A. Rivera of Round Rock, who died in Afghanistan on October 22, 2011, at the age of 26; and WHEREAS, Assigned to the 709th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, out of Hohenfels, Germany, Sergeant Rivera died during an enemy attack in Puli Alam, Logar province, Afghanistan; and WHEREAS, Born to Fred and Evelyn Rivera on March 19, 1985, Paul Rivera grew up in Round Rock, where he graduated from Stony Point High School in 2003; he was beloved by his friends for his intelligence, his kindness, and his sense of humor; and WHEREAS, This brave American was inspired to join the armed forces after the events of September 11, 2001, even before he had finished high school; he was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant; and WHEREAS, Our state and nation are fortunate to have men and women whose love of country inspires them to take up military service, yet the tragic death of this young man is a sobering reminder of the cost of war; Sergeant Paul Rivera embodied the highest ideals of the United States armed forces, and those who knew and loved him will forever carry him close to their hearts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Sergeant Paul A. Rivera and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his parents, Fred and Evelyn Rivera; to his brother, Philip Rivera; to his grandmothers, Luz Maria Maldonado and Carmen G. Rivera; to his aunts and their spouses, Virginia and Gilbert Barratachea, Iris and Alan Havrilla, Sonia Maldonado, and Gina and Milton Nieves; to his uncles and their spouses, Angel and Will Maldonado, Pedro Maldonado, Miguel and Lora Maldonado, and Jose and Silver Maldonado; to his cousins, Angel Maldonado, Jr., Karin Gay, Fay Cortes, Christopher Havrilla, Melanie Rodriguez, Melina Connor, Daniel Maldonado, J. P. Maldonado, Lisa Maldonado, Shawn Nieves, Joann Nieves, and Richard Nieves; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Sergeant Paul A. Rivera. Schwertner Birdwell Garcia Rodriguez Campbell Hancock Seliger Carona Hegar Taylor Davis Hinojosa Uresti Deuell Huffman Van de Putte Duncan Lucio Watson Ellis Nelson West Eltife Nichols Whitmire Estes Patrick Williams Fraser Paxton Zaffirini Dewhurst, President of the Senate President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 23, 2013, by a rising vote.