By Morrison                                            H.R. No. 461
         76R9312 MDM-D                           
                                 R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, The Distinguished Flying Cross was established to
 1-2     honor gallant and intrepid service by a member of the United States
 1-3     Army during aerial flight, and through the extraordinary
 1-4     performance of his duties during World War II, Herbert F. Frels of
 1-5     Cuero became a most deserving recipient of this prestigious honor;
 1-6     and
 1-7           WHEREAS, On June 13, 1944, Second Lieutenant Frels took off
 1-8     from Spinola, Italy, piloting his B-24 Liberator, "Georgia Peach,"
 1-9     on a bomb run over a ball bearing factory in Munich, Germany; the
1-10     22-year-old pilot and his crew of nine were shot down and crashed
1-11     behind enemy lines; and
1-12           WHEREAS, Second Lieutenant Frels's courage in protecting his
1-13     crew members, without concern for his own safety, was an
1-14     inspiration to those around him and exemplified the utmost
1-15     dedication to his country and his fellow servicemen; and
1-16           WHEREAS, Wounded by shrapnel and burned in the fiery crash of
1-17     his aircraft, this remarkable young hero spent two months in a
1-18     hospital and 11 months in a prisoner of war camp in Barth, Germany,
1-19     until its liberation by Allied troops, and he was also awarded the
1-20     Prisoner of War Medal in recognition of this harrowing experience;
1-21     and
1-22           WHEREAS, Today, this patriotic American dedicates his time
1-23     and energy to veterans' groups and organizations in his community;
1-24     Mr. Frels was instrumental in creating the Cuero Veterans of
 2-1     Foreign Wars, serving as the post's first commander from 1967 to
 2-2     1969, and he was named to the All-State Commander's Team in 1967,
 2-3     leading to his selection as District 24 commander in 1970; and
 2-4           WHEREAS, A longtime Cuero school board trustee, Mr. Frels has
 2-5     twice guided that panel as president, and he has ably chaired the
 2-6     DeWitt County Appraisal District Board of Directors as well; and
 2-7           WHEREAS, Throughout all his endeavors, Mr. Frels has enjoyed
 2-8     the love and support of his family, which includes his wife, Helen,
 2-9     and the couple's three children, Finley, John, and Lori; and
2-10           WHEREAS, Americans owe a great debt of gratitude to the
2-11     valiant men and women who served our nation during World War II,
2-12     and it is indeed appropriate for the members of this chamber to
2-13     pause for a moment to pay tribute to one of the many brave Texans
2-14     who served this noble and patriotic cause; now, therefore, be it
2-15           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-16     Legislature hereby congratulate Herbert F. Frels on his receipt of
2-17     the Distinguished Flying Cross for his meritorious service during
2-18     World War II, and express to him our deepest admiration for the
2-19     heroism he displayed as a member of the U.S. armed forces; and, be
2-20     it further
2-21           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
2-22     prepared for Mr. Frels as an expression of highest regard by the
2-23     Texas House of Representatives.