H*3936 Resolution, By Freeman
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE
 OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON LEARNING OF THE DEATH OF STAFF SERGEANT JASON C.
 HICKS, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, OF JEFFERSON ON SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2003, WHILE
 ON A MISSION OF MERCY DURING OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM IN AFGHANISTAN, AND TO
 CONVEY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

   04/03/03  House  Introduced and adopted HJ-32

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON LEARNING OF THE DEATH OF STAFF SERGEANT JASON C. HICKS, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE, OF JEFFERSON ON SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2003, WHILE ON A MISSION OF MERCY DURING OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM IN AFGHANISTAN, AND TO CONVEY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the House of Representatives were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Staff Sergeant Jason C. Hicks of Jefferson on March 23, 2003, at the age of twenty-five; and

Whereas, Staff Sergeant Hicks was born on May 1, 1977, and spent his early years in South Carolina. He graduated from Central High School in Pageland and joined the United States Air Force on May 1, 1996; and

Whereas, Staff Sergeant Hicks attended Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where upon graduation he accepted training as a HH-60G helicopter crew chief. After his apprenticeship, Jason received an assignment to Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, where he was introduced to Air Force Combat Search and Rescue. He spent his time learning systems and operations of the HH-60G and decided his talents would be better suited as a helicopter flight engineer; and

Whereas, Staff Sergeant Hicks received orders to the 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia as a helicopter crew chief, then in 2001 he was approved for cross training as a helicopter flight engineer. He received orders to attend the Basic Flight Engineer Course and then Initial Qualification Training as a flight engineer; and

Whereas, during Staff Sergeant Hicks' career, he received numerous awards and honors to include the Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduation Ribbon, and the Air Force Training Ribbon. He was a graduate of the Avionics Systems Technology Course, the Airman Leadership School, and was actively pursuing his Associates of Applied Science from the Community College of the Air Force Degree in Aircraft Maintenance Technology; and

Whereas, Staff Sergeant Hicks was permanently assigned to the 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia, and served as a Combat Search and Rescue flight engineer. He took part in deployments with the 41st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron to Operation Enduring Freedom in July 2002 and February 2003. He had recently married Cristy Nollen Hicks on January 27, 2003, four days before returning to Afghanistan for his second tour; and

Whereas, Staff Sergeant Hicks flew numerous combat support missions that helped save the lives of American and coalition soldiers and airmen, and performed medical recoveries for Afghan local nationals; and

Whereas, Staff Sergeant Hicks was one of six airmen killed while on board a United States Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter that crashed during a thunderstorm near Ghazni, Afghanistan, while on a mission to evacuate two Afghan children for medical treatment to facilities in Bagram. Staff Sergeant Hicks will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery; and

Whereas, the House of Representatives extends its sympathy to the loving family and many friends of Staff Sergeant Jason C. Hicks. He is survived by his wife, Cristy; his mother, Theresa Hicks; his brother, Curtis Hicks; and his sister, Janet Barbee. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the House of Representatives, by this resolution, extend their profound sorrow upon learning of the death of Staff Sergeant Jason C. Hicks, United States Air Force, of Jefferson on Sunday, March 23, 2003, while on a mission of mercy during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and convey deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the family of Staff Sergeant Jason C. Hicks of Jefferson.