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.