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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Students and alumni of Texas A&M University are |
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taking part in one of the university's most cherished traditions, |
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Aggie Muster, on April 21, 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, Muster traces its origins to San Jacinto Day, which |
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commemorates the defeat of the Mexican Army by the Republic of Texas |
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at the Battle of San Jacinto; the first Muster took place on June |
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26, 1883, when a group of former Texas A&M students gathered |
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together to reminisce about their days in college; and |
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WHEREAS, During the first half of the 20th century, the |
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tradition of Muster evolved to include a memoriam for those who were |
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absent; during both World War I and World War II, Aggies met and |
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forged bonds at army posts across the United States and in the |
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trenches in Europe; during the most famous Aggie Muster that took |
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place on the small island of Corregidor in the Philippines in 1942, |
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Major General George Moore led a group of recently commissioned |
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Aggies in holding a yell practice, singing the War Hymn, and |
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honoring the memory of Aggies who had died; and |
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WHEREAS, The first campus Muster was organized in 1924, and |
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it has since grow into an all-day affair that includes a ceremonial |
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barbeque with members of the 50-year reunion class and a special |
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memorial service at Reed Arena; at every Muster, a speaker |
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addresses the crowd present before the "Roll Call for the Absent," |
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during which the names of those from that area who have died in the |
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past year are read; as each name is called, a family member or |
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friend responds with "Here" to express that the deceased individual |
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is present in spirit, and a candle is subsequently lit in his or her |
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memory; and |
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WHEREAS, Muster is a time of both solemnity and celebration |
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for members of the worldwide Aggie community, who unite with one |
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another in solidarity and remembrance of those they have lost, and |
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participants in this year's Muster are helping to perpetuate a |
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tradition that is inextricably tied to the history and culture of |
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their alma mater; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate Aggie Muster on April 21, 2023, and |
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extend to all those taking part in this year's Muster sincere best |
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wishes for a meaningful and memorable event. |