R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez on
1-2 November 29, 1998, at the age of 63, brought a great loss not only
1-3 to the many friends and relatives of this beloved man and Vietnam
1-4 hero, but to all Texans and Americans as well; and
1-5 WHEREAS, Born on August 5, 1935, in DeWitt County, Sergeant
1-6 Benavidez was beset by hardship early in life; he was orphaned at
1-7 the age of six and dropped out of school at the age of 14; and
1-8 WHEREAS, He joined the United States Army in June 1955 and
1-9 thrived on the discipline and challenges of military life; his
1-10 efforts earned him membership in an elite Special Forces Airborne
1-11 unit, the Green Berets, and during his first tour of duty in
1-12 Vietnam, in December 1965, he was severely injured by a land mine
1-13 and was not expected to walk again; and
1-14 WHEREAS, In spite of his prognosis, this dedicated soldier
1-15 completely recovered and later returned to Vietnam; while stationed
1-16 near Loc Ninh, he distinguished himself in combat on May 2, 1968,
1-17 displaying exceptional bravery and commitment to his comrades above
1-18 and beyond the call of duty; and
1-19 WHEREAS, Sergeant Benavidez initiated a one-man mission to
1-20 rescue 12 wounded members of a Special Forces reconnaissance team
1-21 who were surrounded by North Vietnamese soldiers; during six hours
1-22 of brutal fighting, this unstoppable hero saved the lives of eight
1-23 Green Beret comrades while sustaining 37 wounds to his body; and
1-24 WHEREAS, Retiring from the military in 1976 with the rank of
2-1 master sergeant, Sergeant Benavidez was awarded the Congressional
2-2 Medal of Honor by President Ronald Reagan on February 24, 1981, for
2-3 outstanding valor and perseverance in battle; he has been justly
2-4 honored on numerous occasions throughout the nation and state, and
2-5 several Texas schools, a National Guard Armory, and an Army Reserve
2-6 center have been named for him; and
2-7 WHEREAS, This exemplary patriot continued to positively
2-8 influence individuals following his discharge from the military by
2-9 dedicating his time and energy to veteran's groups and to speaking
2-10 to student groups throughout the country, encouraging them to
2-11 continue their education and refrain from drug and gang
2-12 involvement; and
2-13 WHEREAS, Roy P. Benavidez exemplifies the highest ideals of
2-14 the American military; he instilled pride in this country and its
2-15 defenders through his leadership, loyalty, and devotion to duty;
2-16 although his presence is gone from us now, he will long be
2-17 remembered as a man of honor by the many people who knew and
2-18 admired him; now, therefore, be it
2-19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas
2-20 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Master Sergeant Roy
2-21 P. Benavidez and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
2-22 family: to his wife, Hilaria Benavidez; to his son, Noel Benavidez;
2-23 to his daughters, Yvette Benavidez Garcia and Denise Benavidez
2-24 Prochazka; to his brother, Roger Benavidez; to his sisters, Mary
2-25 Martinez, Lupe Chavez, Helene Vallejo, and Eva Campos; to his
2-26 stepbrothers, Mike, Eugene, Frank, Nick, and Juquin Benavidez; to
2-27 his grandchildren; and to the many other friends and relatives of
3-1 this extraordinary individual; and, be it further
3-2 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-3 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
3-4 House of Representatives adjourns today, it do so in memory of Roy
3-5 P. Benavidez.
Uresti
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 498 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 23, 1999.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House