By Van de Putte H.R. No. 124 75R624 SAJ-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to honor 1-2 the National Women's Memorial Project for its outstanding tribute 1-3 to female veterans of the United States Armed Forces; and 1-4 WHEREAS, The Women In Military Service For America Memorial 1-5 will honor the service, sacrifice, and achievements of the nearly 1-6 2,000,000 women who have been part of our country's armed forces, 1-7 more than 78,000 of whom are Texans; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Designed by noted architects Marion Gail Weiss and 1-9 Michael Manfredi, the structure will stand at the gateway to 1-10 Arlington National Cemetery and will feature a reflecting pool, a 1-11 court of honor, and an education center; and 1-12 WHEREAS, More than 200 years ago, Deborah Sampson disguised 1-13 herself as a man to join the Massachusetts Regiment of the 1-14 Revolutionary Army; in later years, females have been welcomed into 1-15 military service, and in 1948, the Women's Armed Services 1-16 Integration Act granted them a permanent place in the military, 1-17 allowing them to serve their country with honor both in peacetime 1-18 and in conflict; and 1-19 WHEREAS, The Women In Military Service For America Memorial 1-20 is our nation's first major effort to pay tribute to its 1-21 servicewomen; their patriotism and bravery are part of our 1-22 collective heritage, and it is the express desire of the Texas 1-23 House of Representatives to voice its wholehearted support of this 1-24 important project; now, therefore, be it 2-1 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-2 Legislature hereby honor the female veterans of the United States 2-3 Armed Forces and commend all those associated with the National 2-4 Women's Memorial Project for their exceptional work on this 2-5 worthwhile endeavor; and, be it further 2-6 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-7 prepared for the Women In Military Service For America Memorial 2-8 Foundation as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of 2-9 Representatives.