|
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
WHEREAS, On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, which is being |
|
observed on September 16, 2022, citizens across Texas and the |
|
United States pay solemn tribute to the servicemen and women who |
|
were held as prisoners of war or who remain missing in action from |
|
our nation's conflicts; and |
|
WHEREAS, The toll of war is never-ending, lasting far beyond |
|
cease-fires, armistices, and treaties; many thousands of soldiers, |
|
sailors, and airmen are still considered missing in action from |
|
World War II, and thousands more are listed as missing from |
|
subsequent wars; decades after their loved ones have been listed as |
|
unaccounted for, families continue to mourn and to seek answers as |
|
well as respite from the emotional burden of not knowing the fate of |
|
a beloved parent, sibling, or child; and |
|
WHEREAS, The first national commemoration of POWs and MIAs |
|
was held in 1979, when the U.S. Congress passed a resolution |
|
specifying July 18 as National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and a |
|
ceremony was held in the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.; in |
|
1984, President Ronald Reagan hosted a ceremony at the White House, |
|
which served to honor all returned POWs while also renewing the |
|
commitment to account for the missing; since 1986, the |
|
commemoration has been held on the third Friday in September, and on |
|
that day each year, the black-and-white POW/MIA flag has been flown |
|
over somber ceremonies at the White House and the U.S. Capitol, as |
|
well as over state capitols, military bases, ships at sea, schools, |
|
churches, and many other venues; and |
|
WHEREAS, Our men and women in uniform and their families make |
|
tremendous sacrifices in order to preserve our freedom and our way |
|
of life, and they are owed a profound debt of gratitude as well as |
|
the steadfast commitment of our nation to continue its work to |
|
ensure that all missing Americans are accounted for or returned |
|
home in dignity and honor; now, therefore, be it |
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
|
Legislature hereby commemorate September 16, 2022, as National |
|
POW/MIA Recognition Day and assure the families of prisoners of war |
|
and those still missing in action that their loved ones will never |
|
be forgotten. |
|
|
Price |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Speaker of the House |
|
|
I certify that H.R. No. 1504 was adopted by the House on May |
|
29, 2021, by a non-record vote. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
|