LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely death of Specialist Andrew
J. Roughton and paying tribute to his courageous actions as a member of
the United States Army

WHEREAS, The courage and bravery of our military personnel since the
United States Armed Forces commenced Operation Enduring Freedom will
ensure our continued role as a Nation which embodies the ideals of
democracy, and as a defender of liberty for people throughout the world;
and
WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York who
have served so valiantly and honorably during Operation Enduring Freedom
deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, It is with feelings of deepest regret that this Legislative
Body mourns the untimely death of Specialist Andrew J. Roughton and pays
tribute to his courageous actions as a member of the United States Army;
and
WHEREAS, A 2006 graduate of Spring Woods High School in Texas, where
he was a multi-sport athlete, Specialist Andrew J. Roughton left a scho-
larship at Trinity Valley Community College to join the United States
Army; and
WHEREAS, After completing basic training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma,
Specialist Andrew J. Roughton was assigned as a field artillery auto-
mated tactical data systems specialist with the 4th Battalion, 25th
Field Artillery (Strike) Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division based
out of Fort Drum, New York, and deployed to Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, Known to his many friends as Tuna, Specialist Andrew J.
Roughton was the recipient of the Army Achievement Medal, the National
Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign
star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service
Ribbon; and
WHEREAS, Specialist Andrew J. Roughton is survived by his wife, Heath-
er; father, Mark Roughton; grandfather, Curtis Roughton; grandmother,
Billie Berecky; stepbrother, Marcus Carpenter; and uncle, Curtis Rough-
ton Jr.; and
WHEREAS, The banner of freedom will always wave over our beloved New
York and all of America, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave;
and
WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and
WHEREAS, The freedoms and security we cherish as Americans come at a
very high price for those serving in the military in times of conflict;
it is fitting and proper that we who are the beneficiaries of those who
risk their lives, leaving their families behind, express our appreci-
ation and eternal gratitude for their sacrifices and courageous acts;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the untimely death of Specialist Andrew J. Roughton and pay trib-
ute to his courageous actions as a member of the United States Army; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Specialist Andrew J. Roughton.