By Uresti                                              H.R. No. 498
         76R9630 MDM-D                           
                                 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.