HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
209 |
TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HONORING THE MEMORY OF WESLEY J. BATALONA AND EXTENDING CONDOLENCES AND SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY.
WHEREAS, WESLEY J. BATALONA was born and raised in the rural community of Kukuihaele on the Big Island, and was a quiet leader and a thoughtful person who became the student-body president at Honokaa High School and who joined the United States Army after graduating from high school in 1974; and
WHEREAS, in 1975, WESLEY J. BATALONA married his high school sweetheart, June, and together they raised a beautiful daughter, Kristal; and
WHEREAS, although WESLEY J. BATALONA was stationed on the mainland in Georgia during his military service, he never forgot his family ties to Hawaii, and after twenty years of serving as a dedicated U.S. Army Ranger Sergeant First Class, he retired and returned to Paauilo, where he began working for the security department at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel; and
WHEREAS, WESLEY J. BATALONA began working for Blackwater Security Consulting, a company that provides security training and guard services around the world, and was contracted by the Pentagon to provide security for convoys that deliver food in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, after having previously traveled to Iraq in 2003, WESLEY J. BATALONA decided to return there, and being the special person that he was, was motivated by his hope to help the children of Iraq, who have become additional victims of the conflict in their country; and
WHEREAS, on March 31, 2004, WESLEY J. BATALONA was one of four American civilian contractors ambushed and killed in Fallujah, Iraq, to the bereavement of his family and friends, and a loss not only to the people of the State of Hawaii, but to the citizens of the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, coming from a large tight-knit family, WESLEY J. BATALONA, believed in strong family values and became a stay at home dad after he retired from the military, so he could develop a stronger relationship with his daughter, Kristal, during her high school years; and
WHEREAS, after returning to the Big Island, Wesley and June Batalona had additional time that was spent strengthening their very special relationship of mutual respect and support; and
WHEREAS, WESLEY J. BATALONA, after returning to Hawaii spent much time in "talk story" sessions with friends and family at gatherings, helping to put him in closer touch with his own "roots"; and
WHEREAS, WESLEY J. BATALONA, was an outstanding person and wonderful human being, who made the community that he grew up in feel very proud of the special individual he became; and
WHEREAS, following in his father Joe Batalona's footsteps, WESLEY J. BATALONA became a leader in his own right and displayed uncommon selflessness by always putting the interests of others before himself, and strongly supported his neighbors and friends; and
WHEREAS, WESLEY J. BATALONA will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, son and brother, a very caring friend, avid fisherman, and storyteller who will truly be missed by all; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular session of 2004, that this body hereby extends its deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and honors the memory of WESLEY J. BATALONA.
OFFERED BY: |
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Report Title:
Honoring the Memory of Wesley J. Batalona