SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 91

	WHEREAS, On September 2, 1945, Japanese representatives 

signed documents of surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay,

bringing to a close the six-year-long agony of World War II, and 

on September 2, 2005, the Palo Pinto Historical Commission and 

the City of Mineral Wells are commemorating the 60th anniversary 

of the end of the war and paying tribute to all Americans who 

served in that terrible struggle; and

	WHEREAS, Over the course of World War II, 16 million 

Americans answered their country's call to duty; many of them, 

before deploying overseas, received instruction at Camp Wolters, 

a major infantry training center just east of Mineral Wells; at 

its peak, the camp encompassed over 7,500 acres and could 

accommodate approximately 25,000 troops; and

	WHEREAS, The scope and cost of World War II are difficult 

to fully grasp:  more than 50 countries or dependencies were 

involved, and the number of service members killed in combat is 

believed to be about 20 million; United States forces suffered 

nearly 300,000 killed in battle and some 400,000 deaths 

altogether; overall, the number of deaths attributed to the war 

is estimated at roughly 60 million, half or more of whom were 

civilians; and

	WHEREAS, In the end, United States military forces and 

industrial might proved crucial to the Allied victory; V-E Day, 

marking the end of the war in Europe, was celebrated on May 8, 1945,

to be followed three months later by Japan's capitulation on

V-J Day, August 15, and the signing of the terms of surrender on 

September 2; and

	WHEREAS, Six decades have now elapsed since that September 

morning, but the passage of time can never diminish the immeasurable

debt that Americans owe to those fellow citizens whose tenacity 

and fortitude helped to gain the Allies' success; putting aside 

their personal lives and aspirations, they bore the enormity

of war at one of the most fateful junctures of the 20th century, 

and it is indeed a privilege to join in acknowledging their 

extraordinary selflessness, sacrifice, and valor; now, therefore,

be it

	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,

79th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby proclaim

September 2, 2005, World War II Veterans Day in Mineral Wells

and encourage all Texans to honor the men and women who defended 

the cause of freedom and democracy in those perilous years.

                                                                           Estes









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    President of the Senate

 

    I hereby certify that the 

above Resolution was adopted by 

the Senate on August 15, 2005.







________________________________ 

    Secretary of the Senate







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     Member, Texas Senate