H.R. No. 128


R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, one of the most-visited sites in Washington, D.C., is being displayed in El Paso on September 5-7, 2003; and WHEREAS, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, often known simply as "the Wall," lists the names of more than 58,000 American men and women killed or missing in action in the Southeast Asian conflict; sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc., and designed by Maya Ying Lin, a Yale University architecture student, the memorial was dedicated on November 13, 1982; since then the Wall has drawn millions of Americans to contemplate the enormous sacrifice that is hauntingly reflected on its 500-foot-long, polished black granite surface; and WHEREAS, For many Americans who might never be able to visit the Wall in the nation's capital, Dignity Memorial, a network of funeral, cremation, and cemetery providers, has sponsored the creation of a three-quarter-scale replica titled The Vietnam Wall Experience; 240 feet long and 8 feet high, the replica is displayed in a number of cities across the country every year; each exhibition enjoys the support and assistance of veterans groups and civic organizations and is free to the public; and WHEREAS, Nearly 3,500 Texans died in the Vietnam War, and the names of 126 native El Pasoans are inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; and WHEREAS, Americans owe a profound debt to those men and women, and to all the nation's military personnel, for their brave efforts in times of great uncertainty and danger, and for the immeasurable burdens assumed and sacrifice made in behalf of all their fellow citizens; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby recognize the exhibition of The Vietnam Wall Experience replica in El Paso and commend its sponsors for this memorable contribution to the community. Chavez ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 128 was adopted by the House on August 18, 2003, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House