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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, For 125 years, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the |
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United States has rendered exceptional service to former members of |
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our nation's armed forces; and |
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WHEREAS, The VFW traces its origins to 1899, when veterans of |
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the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War founded |
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local organizations in Ohio, Colorado, and Pennsylvania to advocate |
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for their rights and secure benefits such as medical care and |
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pensions; the movement quickly gained momentum, and the groups |
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banded together to form the VFW; today, the organization and the VFW |
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Auxiliary boast memberships totaling more than 1.4 million; and |
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WHEREAS, Since its inception, the VFW has supported a wide |
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range of veterans' benefits programs, and it has offered guidance |
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to countless former service members in their transition back to |
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civilian life; in addition, the organization has made a positive |
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impact in local communities, and it has distinguished itself as a |
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national leader on issues important to veterans and their families; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The VFW's many contributions have included |
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advocating for the establishment of the Veterans Administration |
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(now known as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) and the |
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national cemetery system, fighting for improved health care for |
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women veterans, and providing funds for a number of memorials |
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honoring military service members; the organization has also played |
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an instrumental role in the passage of legislation such as the GI |
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Bill for the 21st Century in 2008, the Veterans Access, Choice, and |
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Accountability Act of 2014, the 2019 Blue Water Navy Vietnam |
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Veterans Act, and the 2022 Honoring Our PACT Act; and |
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WHEREAS, Americans owe a profound debt of gratitude to the |
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military personnel who put themselves in harm's way to defend our |
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safety, security, and freedom, and the VFW is indeed deserving of |
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special recognition for its efforts to ensure that veterans receive |
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the support and appreciation they deserve; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate September 29 as Veterans of Foreign Wars of the |
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United States Day; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of |
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Section 391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in |
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effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is |
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finally passed by the legislature. |