SENATE RESOLUTION

                         1991-8609

By Senators Sellar, Conner, Rasmussen, Stratton, Skratek and Snyder

    WHEREAS, In the age old battle for the ideals of peace with justice, freedom from tyranny and aggression, and the sanctity of rule of law among peoples and nations, Eric Douglas Hedeen, a son of Washington, is truly a hero; and

    WHEREAS, On February 2, 1991, returning from a B-52 combat mission to the island of Diego Garcia, Eric, an Air Force First Lieutenant, lost his life over the waters of the Indian Ocean; and

    WHEREAS, Eric, following his father's ennobling example as an Air Force officer, believed in a sacred responsibility to serve his community and country, and died fully committed to the cause for which he so valiantly fought; and

    WHEREAS, Eric was a lifelong resident of the Wenatchee Valley, having graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1982 and later with a degree in architecture from Washington State University; and

    WHEREAS, In the week preceding his death, Eric's mind was on his fellow troops, especially those at Diego Garcia, when he wrote home to express gratitude for recent showings of support for this country and its troops and to indicate the extent to which that visible support positively affected troop morale; and

    WHEREAS, Eric fully understood the hard work of freedom, and he and his family have made the supreme sacrifice for that cause;

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate hereby honors Eric Douglas Hedeen as an American hero and patriot and expresses its hopes that Eric's family, friends and fellow troops will gain some solace through the memory of Eric's heroic sacrifice and service; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That in accordance with Eric's wishes, the Senate hereby declares its support and gratitude for United States military personnel around the world, especially for those now stationed at Diego Garcia, and for the efforts and leadership of President George Bush as Commander in Chief; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the family of Eric Douglas Hedeen, to the President of the United States, The Honorable George Bush, and to the military command at Diego Garcia.

I, Gordon A. Golob, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 1991-8609,

adopted by the Senate February 6, 1991.

GORDON A. GOLOB

Secretary of the Senate