1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 690
 1-3           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas proudly recognizes
 1-4     the Battleship Texas, the flagship of the Texas Navy, on the
 1-5     grand occasion of the 53rd anniversary of its decommissioning on
 1-6     April 21, 2001; and
 1-7           WHEREAS, Commissioned in 1914, the Battleship Texas served
 1-8     in both world wars; she saw action in the Atlantic Ocean and off
 1-9     the North African coast and was present at the battles of Okinawa
1-10     and Iwo Jima in the South Pacific; and
1-11           WHEREAS, During the legendary Normandy invasion, the
1-12     Battleship Texas was one of thousands of ships sailing as part
1-13     of the Allied fleet and took part in the bombardment of Cherbourg;
1-14     and
1-15           WHEREAS, Throughout its active history, the Battleship Texas
1-16     earned the reputation as a "ship of many firsts"; it was the
1-17     first battleship to launch an airplane, the first to offer
1-18     talking movies, and one of the first to use radar in the Atlantic
1-19     squadron; and
1-20           WHEREAS, Nicknamed "the Lucky Ship," the Battleship Texas
1-21     suffered only one combat casualty in her many campaigns; she
 2-1     was decommissioned on April 21, 1948, and retired to her present
 2-2     berth at the San Jacinto Battlegrounds; and
 2-3           WHEREAS, The Battleship Texas is currently in state care
 2-4     under the direction of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
 2-5     and the Battleship Texas Foundation; and
 2-6           WHEREAS, The Battleship Texas Foundation is charged with
 2-7     raising funds to restore and promote the educational value
 2-8     of the Battleship Texas; and
 2-9           WHEREAS, The Battleship Texas Foundation Board is comprised
2-10     of retired military leaders, active business and civic leaders,
2-11     and concerned community volunteers all focused on promoting the
2-12     historical and educational significance of the Battleship Texas;
2-13     and
2-14           WHEREAS, The Battleship Texas Foundation has solicited
2-15     funding for restoration, enhancements, and a Youth Overnight
2-16     Program to serve organized youth groups across the state; and
2-17           WHEREAS, Built as a vessel of war, the Battleship Texas now
2-18     symbolizes our nation's commitment to freedom; it is of the
2-19     utmost importance that this extraordinary historical object
2-20     be preserved for future generations; now, therefore, be it
2-21           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-22     77th Legislature, hereby recognize April 21, 2001, as the
2-23     53rd Anniversary of the decommissioning of the Battleship Texas,
 3-1     the flagship of the Texas Navy; and, be it further
 3-2           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared to
 3-3     express the high regard that the Texas Senate holds for all
 3-4     the institutions and volunteers who dedicate their resources
 3-5     and time to preserving and enhancing the Battleship Texas.
 3-6                                                                Gallegos
 3-7                                  ______________________________________
 3-8                                          President of the Senate
 3-9                                       I hereby certify that the above
3-10                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-11                                  on April 9, 2001.
3-12                                  ______________________________________
3-13                                          Secretary of the Senate
3-14                                  ______________________________________
3-15                                           Member, Texas Senate