11 LC 94 4983

House Resolution 915

By: Representatives Coleman of the 97^th, Yates of the 73^rd, Maxwell of the 17^th, Clark of the 104^th, Rice of the 51^st, and others

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing and commending Mr. Britt Taylor Collins; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Mr. Britt Taylor Collins is an accomplished artist in many media that have elevated him to be known as one of the top artists in his field; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Collins has demonstrated through his paintings, graphic design, illustrations, and photography an unequaled capacity to portray his passion for the military and military veterans, capturing the American soldier’s sense of courage, heroism, patriotism, and honor; and

WHEREAS, in addition to military homes across the country, his artistic works can be found in collections at the White House; the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning; the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum at Fort Sill; the Musee du’ Normandie at Utah Beach; the National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History; the Hotel du Ville of Periers, Mayenne, Hayange, Le Plessis, Chambois, and St. Suzanne in France; and the Kötzting Rathaus in Germany; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Mr. Collins was commissioned to produce the official limited edition painting and print for Operation Homecoming 2005, which commemorates America’s military involvement in the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1975 and serves as a tribute to those who bravely served during that conflict; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Collins has organized Veterans Day parades, created the Operation Huey Ride Pilot program, served as squad leader for the AAHF Sky Soldiers Airshows, participated in World War II associations, and served as the United States Army Reserve Ambassador for the State of Georgia; and

WHEREAS, his wife Patricia and two of his sons are military veterans; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Collins is the artist and designer behind the artwork “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” and “Boots on the Ground,” logos, Vietnam Image Collection, and other productions that honor American soldiers and the American soldier spirit; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the extraordinary accomplishments of this distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize Mr. Britt Taylor Collins for his amazing artistic career and commend his incredible work portraying the selfless sacrifice of America’s military heroes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Mr. Britt Taylor Collins.

SEATTLE – The Medal of Honor will be awarded to a Washington state-based Army sergeant who lost his hand in Afghanistan when he tried to toss an enemy grenade away from himself and two colleagues.

Sgt. 1st Class Leroy Arthur Petry will be the second living, active-duty service member to receive the nation’s highest military decoration for actions in the Iraq or Afghanistan wars. Last year, Obama awarded a Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Sal Giunta, also for actions in Afghanistan.

Petry was being recognized for courageous actions during combat operations against an armed enemy in the eastern Afghan province of Paktia in May 2008, the White House statement said. The 31-year-old native of Santa Fe, N.M. will receive the medal in a ceremony July 12, a White House statement said Tuesday.

“It’s very humbling to know that the guys thought that much of me and my actions that day, to nominate me for that,” Petry told the Army News Service.

Officials at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the base south of Seattle where Petry works with injured Rangers returning from deployment, referred calls to Army headquarters. A spokesman at headquarters did not immediately return calls seeking comment Tuesday.

According to the Army News Service, Petry was serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment when he was wounded during a rare daylight raid to capture a high-value target. Petry was clearing the courtyard of a targeted compound with Pvt. 1st Class Lucas Robinson when they came under fire.

A bullet pierced both of Petry’s legs, and he and Robinson took cover by a chicken coop. As Sgt. Daniel Higgins arrived, a grenade was thrown from the other side of the coop, landed about 30 feet away and exploded, wounding Higgins and Robinson.

A second grenade landed even closer to the three wounded Rangers — just a few feet away. Petry grabbed it and tried to toss it away, but it exploded in his hand.

“If not for Staff Sgt. Petry’s actions, we would have been seriously wounded or killed,” Higgins later wrote in a report cited by the Army News Service.

Petry placed a tourniquet on his own right arm before reporting that he had been wounded again and that the firefight was ongoing. Two other soldiers, Staff Sgt. James Roberts and Spc. Christopher Gathercole, came to their aid. Gathercole was shot and killed by an enemy firing from another part of the courtyard; Higgins and Robinson returned fire and killed him.

Petry enlisted in the Army in September 1999, the White House statement said. He completed multiple combat tours totaling 28 months of deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Previous decorations include two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and three Army Commendation Medals.

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Britt Taylor Collins honored by Georgia General Assembly House bill 915

Medal of Honor will be awarded to a Washington state-based Army sergeant

"Boots on the Ground Art"

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