By Farabee H.R. No. 1130 77R16851 GMW-D R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, On May 18, 2001, Armed Forces Day, it is fitting 1-2 that we pay tribute to Samuel Bier of Austin, who has been named 1-3 Veteran of the Year by the Texas House of Representatives Veterans 1-4 & Military Affairs Coalition for his distinguished military career 1-5 and for his extensive service in behalf of Texas veterans and the 1-6 State of Texas; and 1-7 WHEREAS, A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, he entered the 1-8 United States Army on April 18, 1941, as a private and a year later 1-9 earned his commission as a second lieutenant; and 1-10 WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel Bier proudly served this nation 1-11 during World War II and demonstrated great courage and strength of 1-12 spirit while surviving as a prisoner of war; after serving in the 1-13 United States Air Force Active Reserve from 1945 to 1951, he was 1-14 recalled to active duty during the Korean War and would remain in 1-15 service to his country through the Vietnam War; after more than 30 1-16 years of military service, he retired from the Air Force on August 1-17 31, 1971; and 1-18 WHEREAS, The many well-deserved honors Lieutenant Colonel 1-19 Bier received during his career include the Bronze Star, Purple 1-20 Heart, POW Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Korean Presidential 1-21 Unit Citation, eight Theater and Service Medals with seven Battle 1-22 Stars and Clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with One 1-23 Oak Leaf Cluster; and 1-24 WHEREAS, Since completing his military career, Mr. Bier has 2-1 devoted himself to veterans affairs, having served as a 16-year 2-2 member and past chairman of the Texas Veterans Commission and as 2-3 the legislative chairman for Chapter No. 173 of the Disabled 2-4 American Veterans, VFW Post No. 856, and the Capital City Chapter 2-5 of American Ex-Prisoners of War and in numerous other posts; 2-6 moreover, he and his wife of 58 years, Ruth, are valued members of 2-7 the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service, to which 2-8 Mr. Bier alone has contributed more than 32,000 hours; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Samuel Bier has proven himself most deserving of the 2-10 title Texas Veteran of the Year for his longstanding defense of 2-11 this country and the ideals on which it was built; now, therefore, 2-12 be it 2-13 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 2-14 Legislature hereby congratulate Samuel Bier on being named Veteran 2-15 of the Year by the Texas House of Representatives Veterans & 2-16 Military Affairs Coalition and commend him for the valor and 2-17 dedication he has shown to this nation throughout his lifetime; 2-18 and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-20 prepared for Mr. Bier as an expression of high regard by the Texas 2-21 House of Representatives.