79R13083 JNC-D

By:  Vo                                                           H.R. No. 1178



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The generation of Americans that served this country 
during World War II preserved this nation's freedom for decades to 
come, and the Japanese Americans of the 442nd Regimental Combat 
Team set an inspirational example of the bravery and dedication to 
duty that were required to assure victory in that conflict; and
	WHEREAS, Soon after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 
7, 1941, Japanese Americans were reclassified to 4-C, "Enemy 
Alien," status and were barred from enlisting in the U.S. military; 
moreover, countless men and women, many of whom were U.S. citizens, 
were relocated and incarcerated in internment camps; and
	WHEREAS, In January 1943, President Roosevelt and the War 
Department made the decision to allow Japanese Americans to 
volunteer for service; in May of that same year, approximately 
1,800 men assembled for training at Camp Shelby in Mississippi; and
	WHEREAS, Embracing the motto "Go for Broke," the troops of 
the 442nd Regiment fought in eight major campaigns in Italy, 
France, and Germany and, in less than two years of combat, earned 
more than 18,000 individual decorations, including one Medal of 
Honor, 53 Distinguished Service Crosses, 588 Silver Stars, 5,200 
Bronze Star Medals, nearly 9,500 Purple Hearts, and eight 
Presidential Unit Citations, the nation's top award for combat 
units; and
	WHEREAS, In June 2002, the unit received further 
acknowledgment when President Bill Clinton awarded an additional 20 
Medals of Honor to its members; and
	WHEREAS, The 442nd Regimental Combat Team gallantly served in 
battles at Belmont and Bruyeres, but an incident known as the Rescue 
of the Lost Battalion at Biffontaine is perhaps the team's most 
extraordinary action; and
	WHEREAS, In this legendary confrontation, the unit lost more 
than 800 troops while on a dangerous mission to rescue members of 
the 1st Battalion, 141st Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, out of 
Texas; by placing themselves directly in harm's way, time and again 
they rendered service and sacrifice that is truly beyond measure; 
and
	WHEREAS, Through their unfaltering devotion to duty, honor, 
and this nation, Japanese American soldiers such as these embody 
the highest ideals of the U.S. armed forces and indeed merit the 
gratitude and admiration of their fellow citizens; now, therefore, 
be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 79th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor Japanese Americans for their courageous 
service during World War II and commend them for their heroism in 
behalf of this nation.