H.C.R. No. 79
                              HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, February 19, 1995, will mark the 50th anniversary of
    1-2  the invasion of Iwo Jima, an event that sparked one of the fiercest
    1-3  battles in modern history, and on this occasion it is appropriate
    1-4  to pay tribute to Marine Corporal Harlon Block, a courageous South
    1-5  Texas youth who died fighting for his country in that historic
    1-6  battle of World War II; and
    1-7        WHEREAS, In 1943, Harlon Block became one of a group of eight
    1-8  Weslaco High School friends who enlisted together in the United
    1-9  States Marine Corps; by February 1945, Corporal Block was in the
   1-10  thick of the bitter fight for the Japanese-held Pacific island of
   1-11  Iwo Jima, a battle that proved to be a crucial turning point in the
   1-12  Allied war effort against Japan; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, On February 22, 1945, the fourth day of the battle,
   1-14  U.S. Marines engaged the enemy at the base of Mount Suribachi, the
   1-15  tallest peak on the island and thus a critical defense position;
   1-16  and
   1-17        WHEREAS, Associated Press photojournalist Joseph Rosenthal
   1-18  photographed the men at the triumphant moment of the flag-raising
   1-19  on Mount Suribachi, and his photograph became one of the most
   1-20  famous and inspiring images of the war; and
   1-21        WHEREAS, Sculptor Felix de Weldon used the image to create
   1-22  the Iwo Jima Monument in Arlington, Virginia, and Dr. de Weldon
   1-23  donated the original cast of the monument for display at the Marine
   1-24  Military Academy in Harlingen; and
    2-1        WHEREAS, On February 18, 1995, the Marine Military Academy in
    2-2  Harlingen will dedicate a special shrine on its grounds to honor
    2-3  Marine Corporal Harlon Block; and
    2-4        WHEREAS, In this monument to one of the greatest moments in
    2-5  Marine Corps history, Corporal Block is depicted at the forefront
    2-6  of the group of six soldiers, driving the flagstaff into the rocky
    2-7  terrain; he was the only Texan to take part in this historic
    2-8  moment; and
    2-9        WHEREAS, Tragically, Corporal Block was killed in action just
   2-10  one week later, one of more than 23,000 American casualties in this
   2-11  campaign that the Marine Corps considers one of the toughest and
   2-12  costliest battles in its 219-year history; and
   2-13        WHEREAS, Marine Corporal Harlon Block was among hundreds of
   2-14  thousands of American youths who answered the call to serve their
   2-15  country in its hour of need, and his death symbolizes the heroic
   2-16  sacrifice of all who have given their lives to ensure continued
   2-17  peace; as we approach the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo
   2-18  Jima, it is only appropriate that we commemorate those valiant
   2-19  individuals who have fought and died for freedom and democracy;
   2-20  now, therefore, be it
   2-21        RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas
   2-22  offer its support of the plan to honor Marine Corporal Harlon Block
   2-23  and pay tribute to him and all the other brave individuals who
   2-24  served on Iwo Jima and exhibited uncommon valor at a critical
   2-25  moment in our nation's history; and, be it further
   2-26        RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared
   2-27  for the family of Corporal Block, the Marine Military Academy, the
    3-1  City of Weslaco, and the City of Harlingen, and that when the Texas
    3-2  House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in
    3-3  memory of Marine Corporal Harlon Block and all those who fought on
    3-4  Iwo Jima.