BILL ANALYSIS
By: Averitt
Defense Affairs & State-Federal Relations
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Hill College has installed the Medal of Honor Memorial as a tribute to all Texans who have received the that distinction, the highest award that can be bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces. Located on the campus of Hill College in front of the Texas Heritage Museum, the memorial serves to enhance the mission of the museum, which is to explore the experience of Texas and Texans in wartime and the ways in which that experience continues to affect us today.
Of the more than 3,400 individuals who had received the Medal of Honor as of January 1, 2007, 56 were born in the Lone Star State. The central shaft of the memorial highlights the valor of Texans Audie Murphy and Samuel Dealey, and James Logan, the first recipient of the Texas Medal of Honor. Among the prized holdings of the Texas Heritage Museum are an extensive collection of Audie Murphy's personal artifacts from World War II, the Medal of Honor that was awarded to James Harris, a World War II tank commander and Hillsboro native, and a large number of photographs and documents relating to other Texan Medal of Honor recipients. The Texas Herita ge Museum plans to expand and develop educational programming around the Medal of Honor memorial and to invite Medal of Honor recipients to talk about and share their experiences
To be considered as a nominee for the Medal of Honor, a man or woman must have demonstrated conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty and at the risk of his or her life; in paying solemn tribute to those Texans who have exemplified the highest standards of courage, selflessness, and devotion to duty, the memorial at Hill College commemorates those who have earned the lasting gratitude and respect of all Americans.
ANALYSIS
CSSCR 17 designates the Medal of Honor Memorial at Hill College as the official State Memorial to Texas Medal of Honor Recipients.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
CSSCR 17 makes minor changes to the original bill to delete references to Texas-born Medal of Honor members, with the intention to honor all Medal of Honor members who either were born in Texas or who established their residence in the state. The substitute also adds a reference to James Logan, the first recipient of the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor.