BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.C.R. 4
80R2630 CCK-D By: Lucio
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Presently, on the grounds of the state Capitol, memorials honor those who fought in World War I and the Korean War, and memorials for those who fought in World War II and the Vietnam War are awaiting completion. A portion of the north Capitol ground remains available for new monuments.
The United States military relies on an all-volunteer force, since the discharge of the last Selective Service draftee in 1975. Therefore, the security of this nation is protected by young men and women who voluntarily step forward to serve our country.
There are over 4,000 brave Americans who have been killed in action, or otherwise have lost their lives, in combat zones and areas of conflict around the world in various engagements since the Vietnam departure.
As proposed, S.C.R. 4 supports a commemorative monument to honor Texans who have participated in more recent military action, as it is considered to be a worthy act by members of the Texas Legislature, and is achievable on the north Capital grounds; provided it meets certain requirements under Chapter 443, Government Code, and the rules of the State Preservation Board.
RESOLVED
That the 80th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby authorize the State Preservation Board, subject to state law and rules of the board, to approve and permit the construction of a new monument on the Capitol grounds recognizing Texans who have fought or otherwise served, and in many cases have given their lives, in specified military operations since the end of the Vietnam War.
That the monument honor Texans who have participated in: the rescue of the S.S. Mayaguez in Cambodia; Operation Eagle Claw- Iran; the Beirut deployment of the early 1980s; Operation Urgent Fury-Grenada; Operation El Dorado Canyon-Libya; Operation Earnest Will-Kuwait; Operation Just Cause-Panama; the Persian Gulf War of 1990-1991; Operation Restore Hope-Somalia; Operation Uphold Democracy-Haiti; international peacekeeping and other operations and missions in Kosovo and the Balkans generally; the attack on the U.S.S. Cole; military defensive actions during and in the immediate aftermath of 9/11; Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan; and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
That the honor be extended to those who fight or otherwise serve in any specific operation, mission, or other engagement that is added, between the approval of this resolution and the approval of the monument or memorial design, to the conflicts listed in Section 54.203, Education Code; the conflicts identified by presidential executive order under 8 U.S.C. Section 1140; or the conflicts in combat zones identified by presidential executive order under 26 U.S.C. Section 112.
That the Texas secretary of state forward an official copy of this resolution to the executive director of the State Preservation Board.