By Hunter H.R. No. 1349 76R18098 WMS-F R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives proudly joins 1-2 citizens across America in observing our national holiday, Memorial 1-3 Day, on Monday, May 31, 1999; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day 1-5 and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on 1-6 the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers; in 1968, Congress 1-7 designated the last Monday in May as Memorial Day; and 1-8 WHEREAS, On Memorial Day, we pay homage to those who lost 1-9 their lives fighting for our nation, for it is due to their courage 1-10 and sacrifice that today our nation is free and prosperous; and 1-11 WHEREAS, The promise of freedom was articulated by our 1-12 Declaration of Independence and made real by the American 1-13 Revolution, and the promise of democracy was preserved by the 1-14 hundreds of thousands of Americans who fought and died in World War 1-15 I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf; and 1-16 WHEREAS, The men and women who died for our country gave 1-17 their lives to safeguard our future, and Memorial Day is an 1-18 opportunity for American citizens to pay tribute to them for their 1-19 heroism; and 1-20 WHEREAS, This special day is also an opportunity for 1-21 Americans everywhere to express their heartfelt gratitude to the 1-22 United States veterans, both living and dead, for the valor and 1-23 dedication they have shown on behalf of our beloved country; today, 1-24 there are more than two million veterans living in Texas, the 2-1 second largest community of veterans in the nation; and 2-2 WHEREAS, Proud of being Americans and ever mindful of the 2-3 duties and responsibilities inherent in good citizenship, the men 2-4 and women of our armed services deserve praise for their loyal 2-5 defense of our country and its ideals; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Those who died for their country have left behind 2-7 legacies of courage and devotion for generations of American 2-8 citizens and memories that will be treasured forever in the hearts 2-9 and minds of all who knew them; and 2-10 WHEREAS, It is a grateful nation today that reflects on our 2-11 American heritage and recognizes the extreme sacrifices made by all 2-12 who serve in the armed forces; now, therefore, be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 76th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby express appreciation to all the brave men and 2-15 women who have served our country and honor the memory of those who 2-16 died on its behalf.