1-1                                     1
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 707
 1-3                                  In Memory
 1-4                                     of
 1-5                              Roy P. Benavidez
 1-6           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
 1-7     citizens of El Campo in mourning the loss of Master Sergeant
 1-8     Roy P. Benavidez, who died November 29, 1998, at the age of 63;
 1-9     and
1-10           WHEREAS, Born August 5, 1935, in DeWitt County, Roy Benavidez
1-11     was the son of sharecroppers who died when he was six years old;
1-12     Roy was raised by his grandparents and attended school until
1-13     dropping out at the age of 14; and
1-14           WHEREAS, Roy joined the United States Army in 1955, and
1-15     his dedication and superior performance in the military earned him
1-16     a position with the elite Special Forces unit, the Green Berets;
1-17     in December of 1965, while on his first tour of duty in Vietnam,
1-18     Sergeant Benavidez was injured by a land mine and was not expected
1-19     to walk again; and
1-20           WHEREAS, A tenacious fighter, Sergeant Benavidez made a
1-21     remarkable recovery from his injuries and later returned to Vietnam;
1-22     at the age of 33, while working inside the South Vietnamese
1-23     border, he learned that 12 wounded members of a Special Forces
1-24     reconnaissance team were surrounded by North Vietnamese soldiers;
 2-1     and
 2-2           WHEREAS, Sergeant Benavidez courageously initiated a
 2-3     mission to rescue the men, and upon reaching their location on
 2-4     May 2, 1968, he plunged into battle, engaging in hand-to-hand
 2-5     combat; Sergeant Benavidez sustained 37 wounds, but acting as a
 2-6     medic, sharpshoooter, and commander, he saved the lives of eight
 2-7     Green Berets; for his exceptional valor, he was awarded the
 2-8     Distinguished Service Cross and was given the Congressional Medal
 2-9     of Honor by President Reagan in 1981; and
2-10           WHEREAS, Roy Benavidez retired from the military in 1976
2-11     and continued to serve his country by devoting his time and energy
2-12     to veterans groups and by visiting schools to speak to young people
2-13     on such issues as education, drug use, and gangs; he was honored on
2-14     numerous occasions, and several Texas schools, a National Guard
2-15     Armory, and an Army Reserve center have been given his name as a
2-16     tribute to his patriotism and devotion to duty; and
2-17           WHEREAS, A man of uncommon courage, strength, and compassion,
2-18     Roy Benavidez gave unselfishly of his life to others, and his
2-19     amazing accomplishments will not be forgotten; and
2-20           WHEREAS, A distinguished soldier and gentleman,
2-21     Sergeant Benavidez will long be remembered by Americans across
2-22     the country for his heroism and his exemplary commitment to the
2-23     welfare of his fellowman; and
2-24           WHEREAS, Roy Benavidez was also a devoted husband, father,
2-25     and grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be
2-26     treasured forever by his family and many friends; now, therefore,
 3-1     be it
 3-2           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
 3-3     76th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the
 3-4     bereaved family of Roy P. Benavidez:  his wife, Hilaria Benavidez;
 3-5     his son, Noel Benavidez; his daughters, Yvette Benavidez Garcia
 3-6     and Denise Benavidez Prochazka; his brother, Roger Benavidez; his
 3-7     sisters, Mary Martinez, Lupe Chavez, Helene Vallejo, and Eva Campos;
 3-8     his stepbrothers, Mike, Eugene, Frank, Nick, and Juquin Benavidez;
 3-9     and his grandchildren; and, be it further
3-10           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
3-11     the members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from
3-12     the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do
3-13     so in memory of Roy Benavidez.
3-14                                                       Armbrister, Truan
3-15                                  ______________________________________
3-16                                         President of the Senate
3-17                                       I hereby certify that the above
3-18                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-19                                  on April 21, 1999, by a rising vote.
3-20                                  ______________________________________
3-21                                         Secretary of the Senate
3-22                                  ______________________________________
3-23                                           Member, Texas Senate
3-24                                  ______________________________________
3-25                                            Dean of the Senate