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                                                                  H.R. No. 140



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, For exceptional achievement in the field of 
aviation, Wesley R. "Bob" Izzard of Amarillo is being inducted into 
the Distinguished Flying Corps Hall of Fame by the Texas Aviation 
Historical Society on May 31, 2004; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Urbana, Illinois, on July 18, 1923, 
Mr. Izzard grew up in Amarillo and graduated from Amarillo High 
School in 1940; he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps on December 26, 
1943, and over the ensuing months he flew 150 missions as a fighter 
pilot in Europe; the battles and campaigns in which he was engaged 
included the Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe, Air Offensive 
Europe, Northern France, and Normandy; and
	WHEREAS, On June 8, 1944, two days after D-Day, his plane was 
disabled by enemy fire and he was forced to bail out over 
German-occupied France; assisted by a farmer and by members of the 
French Resistance, he eluded German soldiers for more than three 
months before he was able to rejoin his comrades; and
	WHEREAS, The following year, First Lieutenant Izzard won the 
Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroic actions over Germany; 
while participating in combined ground-air operations on March 9, 
1945, he was compelled by poor weather conditions to fly at a 
dangerously low altitude; in spite of heavy damage to his P-47 
Thunderbolt, he continued to aggressively bomb and strafe a large 
German convoy until his ammunition gave out, and his vigorous 
assault, conducted without regard for his personal safety, played a 
significant role in enabling the Allied ground forces in that 
sector to advance; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Izzard was released from active duty on November 
23, 1945, having also earned the Purple Heart, the Presidential 
Unit Citation, and the Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters; and
	WHEREAS, Back in the States, Mr. Izzard completed a 
bachelor's degree at the University of Illinois in 1947 and then 
returned to Amarillo, where he worked for many years as a radio and 
television journalist; this esteemed Texan served as news director 
at KGNC-AM-FM-TV from 1948 to 1970 and also covered the Vietnam War; 
and
	WHEREAS, After retiring as a newsman, Mr. Izzard established 
Tangleaire Press with his wife, the late Kathryn Mary Richart, and 
began writing books; he has published two volumes about his 
experiences as a fighter pilot, as well as a number of works 
concerning the Red River War; and
	WHEREAS, Mr. Izzard maintains membership in the P-47 
Thunderbolt Pilots Association, Escape and Evasion Society, and 
Texas Aviation Historical Society; and
	WHEREAS, It is altogether fitting that Mr. Izzard be 
recognized for his valiant service as a fighter pilot with the U.S. 
Army Air Corps and that a chronicle of his outstanding military 
record be preserved at the English Field Air & Space Museum for this 
and future generations; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature, 4th Called Session, hereby honor Wesley R. "Bob" 
Izzard on his induction into the Distinguished Flying Corps Hall of 
Fame by the Texas Aviation Historical Society; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for Mr. Izzard as an expression of high regard by the Texas 
House of Representatives.

                                                                        Swinford
                                                                          Chisum
                                                                         Smithee

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 140 was adopted by the House on May 
17, 2004, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House