1-1 By: Jackson S.R. No. 637 1-2 (In the Senate - Filed April 13, 1999; April 14, 1999, read 1-3 first time and referred to Committee on Veteran Affairs and 1-4 Military Installations; April 27, 1999, reported favorably by the 1-5 following vote: Yeas 4, Nays 0; April 27, 1999, sent to printer.) 1-6 SENATE RESOLUTION 1-7 WHEREAS, In answering our country's call to duty, members of 1-8 the United States armed forces are each making supreme personal 1-9 sacrifices, and it is rightful that American citizens express our 1-10 appreciation for and pay tribute to their extraordinary valor and 1-11 loyalty; and 1-12 WHEREAS, The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration 1-13 in the world that is still in present use; the award originated 1-14 during the Revolutionary War in 1782 when General George Washington 1-15 issued an order establishing the Honorary Badge of Distinction, 1-16 otherwise known as the Badge of Military Merit or the Decoration of 1-17 the Purple Heart; and 1-18 WHEREAS, While the use of the award ceased after the 1-19 Revolutionary War, its usage was revived in 1932, the year of the 1-20 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington; and 1-21 WHEREAS, Today, the Order of the Purple Heart is awarded to 1-22 members of the United States armed forces who are wounded in war by 1-23 the enemy; the award is also given posthumously to the next of kin 1-24 to honor those who were killed in action or died of wounds received 1-25 in battle; and 1-26 WHEREAS, There is now an effort underway by members of the 1-27 United States Congress to create a United States postage stamp in 1-28 honor of our Purple Heart recipients; a Congressional resolution 1-29 has been written asking that the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee 1-30 recommend to the Postmaster General that an Order of the Purple 1-31 Heart stamp be issued in 1999, the year of the 200th anniversary of 1-32 the death of George Washington; and 1-33 WHEREAS, It is appropriate that the Texas Senate show support 1-34 for this endeavor as a means of demonstrating our gratitude to 1-35 those who are wounded in loyal service to our country and to those 1-36 who die in defense of its ideals; now, therefore, be it 1-37 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 76th 1-38 Legislature, hereby express support for a United States postage 1-39 stamp that will honor those brave men and women who are wounded 1-40 while fighting on behalf of our country and its citizens; and, be 1-41 it further 1-42 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an 1-43 endorsement of that endeavor by the Texas Senate. 1-44 * * * * *