By:  Sims                                               S.R. No. 417
    1-1                           SENATE RESOLUTION
    1-2        WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas pauses in
    1-3  its deliberations today to honor the memory of those brave
    1-4  United States Marines who raised the flag of the United States
    1-5  of America on Mount Suribachi during the battle at Iwo Jima 50
    1-6  years ago on February 23, 1945, and to salute the survivors of
    1-7  that horrendous conflict; and
    1-8        WHEREAS, Under the leadership of First Lieutenant Keith Wells,
    1-9  squad leader, his platoon planted the flag and accomplished a feat
   1-10  that to entire generations of Americans has come to embody the
   1-11  heroism of our fighting forces during World War II; and
   1-12        WHEREAS, That platoon became the most decorated platoon
   1-13  ever to emerge from a single engagement in the history of the
   1-14  United States; the awards included a Congressional Medal of Honor,
   1-15  three Navy Crosses, a Silver Star, and a Purple Heart for everyone
   1-16  involved in the battle because many, including Major Wells, were
   1-17  injured more than once; and
   1-18        WHEREAS, The battle began on the 19th of February and lasted
   1-19  until the 16th of March; the leadership of the 23-year-old first
   1-20  lieutenant inspired his men to perform astonishing acts of courage;
   1-21  and
   1-22        WHEREAS, Of the original 45 men in Lieutenant Wells' platoon
   1-23  that fought on Iwo Jima, 16 were killed and all but four were
    2-1  wounded one or more times; the survivors represent a small veterans
    2-2  group of truly intrepid stature; and
    2-3        WHEREAS, After three days of fighting that had left more
    2-4  than half of Lieutenant Wells' platoon either killed or injured,
    2-5  several of his men struggled to the top of Mount Suribachi and
    2-6  stuck a small American flag on the only pole available, a piece
    2-7  of water pipe; and
    2-8        WHEREAS, The sight of Old Glory flying over Japanese
    2-9  territory initiated the most spontaneous and resounding din
   2-10  of raw patriotism ever expressed by American servicemen; and
   2-11        WHEREAS, These were men of exemplary valor and integrity
   2-12  whose heroic actions brought honor to themselves, their families,
   2-13  their communities, and their nation; and
   2-14        WHEREAS, These exemplary soldiers answered their country's
   2-15  call in her hour of need and willingly and courageously exposed
   2-16  themselves to danger; and
   2-17        WHEREAS, The people of Texas wish to express their profound
   2-18  gratitude to these valiant men who willingly risked or gave their
   2-19  lives for the nation they dearly loved; now, therefore, be it
   2-20        RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
   2-21  74th Legislature, hereby honor the memory of the 5,453 Marines
   2-22  who fell at Iwo Jima and pay tribute to the surviving heroes today;
   2-23  and, be it further
   2-24        RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
   2-25  Major Keith Wells, United States Marine Corps, Retired, as a
    3-1  memento of this anniversary.
    3-2                               ______________________________________
    3-3                                       President of the Senate
    3-4                                    I hereby certify that the above
    3-5                               Resolution was adopted by the Senate
    3-6                               on March 9, 1995.
    3-7                               ______________________________________
    3-8                                       Secretary of the Senate
    3-9                               ______________________________________
   3-10                                        Member, Texas Senate