78R15052 MW-D

By:  Castro                                                       H.R. No. 1202



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, Korean War veterans Ray Benke, Oscar Cortez, and 
Jose Hinojosa of San Antonio were among those American military 
personnel honored on March 8, 2003, at the Korean War Commemoration 
Committee event; and
	WHEREAS, For their wartime service and dedication to their 
country, these patriotic Americans received the Freedom Medal from 
the Republic of Korea and the Korean War Commendation Medal from the 
United States; and
	WHEREAS, Stationed in Japan and Korea, Ray Benke served in 
the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1952; now retired, he has enjoyed the 
love and support of his wife for 49 years, and their special union 
has been blessed with two daughters and one son as well as three 
granddaughters; and
	WHEREAS, In the U.S. Army for 20 years, Oscar Cortez served in 
the Korean War and the Vietnam War; in Korea, he was captured in 
1951 and held as a prisoner of war until his release on August 26, 
1953; he married his childhood sweetheart, and they now have five 
sons and one daughter as well as 16 grandchildren; and
	WHEREAS, The military service of Jose Hinojosa spanned 23 
years and included assignments in Georgia, Louisiana, Alaska, 
California, Germany, Korea, and Vietnam; on July 25, 1951, Mr. 
Hinojosa was captured in Korea and held as a prisoner of war until 
his release on August 20, 1953; this decorated war veteran has 
shared an enduring union with his wife for 38 years; and
	WHEREAS, More than 50,000 Americans, some 1.3 million South 
Koreans, 1 million Chinese, and half a million North Koreans died 
during a war that devastated the Korean peninsula; and
	WHEREAS, Today the Republic of Korea has been rebuilt as a 
center of commerce in Asia, with a strong, export-oriented economy, 
and a debt of gratitude is owed to those individuals who risked 
their lives in answer to our nation's call; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby congratulate Ray Benke, Oscar Cortez, and Jose 
Hinojosa on their receipt of the Freedom Medal and the Korean War 
Commendation Medal and commend them for their service to their 
country and the cause of freedom; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 
prepared for these gentlemen as an expression of high regard by the 
Texas House of Representatives.