1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 770 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas acknowledges that 1-4 the citizens of our great nation are the recipients of rights 1-5 and privileges which have been protected by the bravery of our 1-6 men and women in the armed services; and 1-7 WHEREAS, Among those who risked their lives for their 1-8 country during World War II were the crew of the legendary 1-9 USS Indianapolis; their final trip began with the extraordinary 1-10 task of delivering to Tinian the atomic bomb that would be dropped 1-11 by the Enola Gay on Hiroshima, Japan; and 1-12 WHEREAS, After completing their mission to Tinian, the men 1-13 began what would be a harrowing journey home; with no destroyer 1-14 escort available and without sonar, the USS Indianapolis began 1-15 its return voyage, and on July 30, 1945, shortly after midnight, 1-16 the ship succumbed to a Japanese torpedo attack and sank in just 1-17 12 minutes; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Of the more than 1,100 men on board, about 300 went 1-19 down with the ship; the remaining 900 men were left floating, 1-20 covered in oil, in the shark-infested waters of the Philippine 1-21 Sea; they had no lifeboats, food, or fresh water; and 2-1 WHEREAS, The sad fate of the Indianapolis was unknown to 2-2 the United States Navy, and the brave survivors were left for 2-3 four days until a pilot flying overhead spotted them; of the 2-4 original crew members of the ship, only 317 men remained; and 2-5 WHEREAS, Among those to survive the sinking of the 2-6 Indianapolis were 11 Texans: Loel Dene Cox, Paul Murphy, 2-7 Audie Shows, Claudus Evans, Juan Gabrillo, Buck W. Gibson, 2-8 Cleatus A. Lebow, Glenn G. Morgan, Mike G. Obledo, James D. Price, 2-9 and Lindsey Z. Wilcox; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Among these men, Mr. Cox, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Lebow, 2-11 Mr. Morgan, and Mr. Wilcox have worked to help all citizens 2-12 of this country remember the experience of those dutiful men 2-13 who served on the USS Indianapolis; though tragic, their story 2-14 enables all Americans to understand that our liberties have been 2-15 won by sacrifice of many; and 2-16 WHEREAS, It is an honor for the Texas Senate to pause 2-17 and pay homage to all the sailors of the USS Indianapolis who 2-18 risked their lives in defense of our nation; all citizens hold 2-19 these brave men in the highest esteem and are forever indebted 2-20 to them; now, therefore, be it 2-21 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-22 77th Legislature, hereby commend the entire crew of the 2-23 USS Indianapolis for their admirable service and sacrifice 2-24 during World War II; and, be it further 3-1 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an 3-2 expression of the great esteem and respect of the Texas Senate. 3-3 Van de Putte, Gallegos, 3-4 Jackson, Ogden, Sibley 3-5 Armbrister Ellis Shapiro 3-6 Barrientos Fraser Shapleigh 3-7 Bernsen Harris Staples 3-8 Bivins Haywood Truan 3-9 Brown Lindsay Wentworth 3-10 Cain Lucio West 3-11 Carona Madla Whitmire 3-12 Duncan Moncrief Zaffirini 3-13 Nelson 3-14 Ratliff, President of the Senate 3-15 ______________________________ _______________________________ 3-16 Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate 3-17 ______________________________ _______________________________ 3-18 Member, Texas Senate Member, Texas Senate 3-19 ______________________________ 3-20 Member, Texas Senate 3-21 _______________________________ 3-22 President of the Senate 3-23 I hereby certify that the 3-24 above Resolution was adopted by 3-25 the Senate on April 19, 2001. 3-26 _______________________________ 3-27 Secretary of the Senate