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