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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 762

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud to
pay tribute to the members of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 141st 
Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, for their sacrifices 
and contributions to the Allied forces during the Italian 
campaign of World War II; and

	WHEREAS, Company E was composed primarily of 
Hispanic-American soldiers from El Paso and the surrounding 
area; on January 21, 1944, they performed heroically during a 
diversionary assault in the Cassino Valley in Italy that was 
planned to prevent the Germans from attacking the main Allied 
invasion forces landing at Anzio; more than half the members of 
Company E, and more than 1,700 men in the division, were killed 
during the battle; and

	WHEREAS, Manuel "Manny" Rivera, Jr., in the weapons 
platoon of Company E, was involved in one of two reconnaissance 
patrols organized prior to the assault; a mortar shell exploded 
near him as the reconnaissance patrol crossed the Rapido River, 
wounding many in the patrol; although seriously wounded, Manny 
came to the aid of his fellow soldiers and also swam back to the 
American side of the river to inform his company commander of the 
mission's failure; for his heroism, he was awarded the Silver 
Star, two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, and other medals; and

	WHEREAS, Ricardo Palacios, Jr., was a rifle platoon 
sergeant for Company E who participated in the Rapido River 
assault; like many others in the company, he was captured by the 
Germans and was held as a prisoner of war for 16 months; and

	WHEREAS, Following the Rapido River assault, Company E 
regrouped and fought in the Cassino area and at Anzio; along
with others in the 36th Infantry Division, the company fought
on until it helped liberate Rome from the Germans; after leaving 
Italy, the soldiers of the 36th Infantry Division landed in 
Southern France to take pressure off the soldiers involved in the 
Normandy landings; and

	WHEREAS, The soldiers of Company E were patriotic 
Americans who fought with true courage and tenacity, and those 
who died and those who survived deserve to be honored as heroes of 
our state and nation; now, therefore, be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
78th Legislature, hereby commend the members of Company E, 2nd 
Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, for 
the great sacrifices and heroism they displayed in the service of 
their country; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
these exceptional Americans as an expression of esteem from the 
Texas Senate.
                                                                       Shapleigh




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on May 6, 2003.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate