1 HJR205
2 212729-4
3 By Representative Jones (M)
4 RFD: Rules
5 First Read: 15-APR-21
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2 ENROLLED, House Joint Resolution,
3 RENAMING A PORTION OF STATE HIGHWAY 55 SOUTH IN
4 COVINGTON COUNTY IN HONOR OF SERGEANT RODNEY J. EVANS.
5
6 WHEREAS, it is with highest commendation that the
7 Legislature of Alabama renames a portion of Alabama State
8 Highway 55 South from Andalusia to Florala, in honor of
9 Sergeant Rodney J. Evans; and
10 WHEREAS, the renaming of this portion of the highway
11 is in tribute to the heroism and ultimate sacrifice of
12 Sergeant Evans, who is the sole recipient of the Medal of
13 Honor from Covington County, Alabama, presented by former
14 President Richard M. Nixon on April 22, 1971; Sergeant Evans
15 died one day after his twenty-first birthday on July 18, 1969,
16 in Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam; he was serving as a squad
17 leader in a reconnaissance sweep through heavy vegetation to
18 reconnoiter a strong enemy position; as the force approached a
19 well-defined trail, the platoon scout warned that the trail
20 was booby-trapped; Sergeant Evans led his troop on a trail
21 that was parallel to the trail; the force had begun to move
22 forward when a nearby squad was hit by the blast of a
23 concealed mine; looking to his right, Sergeant Evans saw a
24 second concealed enemy device; with complete disregard for his
25 safety, he shouted a warning to his men, dived to the ground,
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1 and crawled toward the mine; just as he reached the mine, the
2 enemy detonated the explosive; Sergeant Evans absorbed the
3 full impact and his selfless action saved his comrades from
4 probable death or injury; he served as an inspiration to his
5 entire unit; and
6 WHEREAS, it is indeed appropriate to recognize the
7 exceptional sacrifice made by Sergeant Evans during the course
8 of his dedicated, capable, and selfless service to his unit
9 and to the United States of America; now therefore,
10 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
11 HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That a portion of Alabama State
12 Highway 55 South in Covington County be designated as Medal of
13 Honor Recipient Sergeant Rodney J. Evans Memorial Mile in
14 honor of Sergeant Rodney J. Evans, and the appropriate
15 authorities are directed to erect and maintain signs and
16 markers specifying this designation of honor as provided in
17 this resolution.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Department of
19 Transportation is requested to determine the cost of
20 fabricating and erecting the appropriate signs and markers,
21 consistent with applicable requirements and laws, and upon
22 receiving funds from non-state sources covering that cost, to
23 erect signs and markers as provided in this resolution in
24 recognition of this memorial designation.
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2
3
4 Speaker of the House of Representatives
5
6 President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
7 House of Representatives
8 I hereby certify that the within Act originated in
9 and was adopted by the House 22-APR-21.
10
11 Jeff Woodard
12 Clerk
13
14
15
16 Senate 06-MAY-21 Adopted
17
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