R E S O L U T I O N
 1-1           WHEREAS, On April 21, 2001, the battleship Texas marks its
 1-2     53rd year as the flagship of the Texas Navy; and
 1-3           WHEREAS, The battleship Texas was commissioned in 1914 and
 1-4     ably served during the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World
 1-5     War II and saw action around the world; currently berthed at the
 1-6     San Jacinto Battleground, it was designated as the flagship of the
 1-7     Texas Navy on April 21, 1948; and
 1-8           WHEREAS, In its many campaigns, the battleship suffered only
 1-9     one combat casualty, which would earn it the nickname "The Lucky
1-10     Ship"; it was also a ship of firsts, as it was the first battleship
1-11     to launch an airplane and the first to offer talking movies and was
1-12     one of the first to use radar in the Atlantic; and
1-13           WHEREAS, Today the battleship is designated a National
1-14     Historic Museum and is in the care of the Texas Parks and Wildlife
1-15     Department and the Battleship Texas Foundation; composed of retired
1-16     military leaders, business and civic leaders, and community
1-17     volunteers, the foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
1-18     promoting the educational value and historical significance of the
1-19     ship; and
1-20           WHEREAS, To this end, the Battleship Texas Foundation has
1-21     solicited funding for restoration and enhancements to the
1-22     battleship, as well as for the establishment of the Youth Overnight
1-23     Program, which serves organized youth groups from across the Lone
1-24     Star State; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, The battleship Texas remains a shining symbol of
 2-2     freedom, and it is indeed appropriate to commend all those who
 2-3     strive to preserve and celebrate this Texas treasure; now,
 2-4     therefore, be it
 2-5           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas
 2-6     Legislature hereby commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the
 2-7     battleship Texas as the flagship of the Texas Navy and extend to
 2-8     the Battleship Texas Foundation best wishes for continued success
 2-9     with this worthwhile endeavor.
                                                                      Talton
                                             _______________________________
                                                   Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.R. No. 618 was adopted by the House on May
         5, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House