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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 263
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is proud and |
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honored to pay tribute to the Texas veterans who fought in the |
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Battle of Iwo Jima during the Pacific campaign of World War II; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, One of the decisive battles in the Pacific theater |
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during World War II, the Battle of Iwo Jima is famous for the |
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image of United States troops raising the American flag atop |
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Mount Suribachi; and |
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WHEREAS, The capture of Iwo Jima was considered necessary |
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to the United States, as the island would provide a staging area |
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for the invasion of the Japanese homeland; its location made it |
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an ideal place for an airbase for the upcoming strategic bombing |
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campaign against the Japanese home islands; and |
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WHEREAS, American intelligence sources were confident that |
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Iwo Jima would fall in only a few days, but Japanese forces had |
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prepared an incredibly strong defensive position and had |
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reinforced the island with over 20,000 troops; and |
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WHEREAS, The Battle of Iwo Jima began February 19, 1945, |
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and lasted approximately 35 days; some of the fiercest fighting |
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in the Pacific campaign took place at Iwo Jima, and more than a |
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quarter of the Medals of Honor awarded to United States Marines |
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in World War II were given for conduct in the Battle of Iwo Jima; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Those who fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima |
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demonstrated uncommon valor, and their actions brought honor |
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to themselves, their families, their communities, and their |
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nation; they answered their country's call in its hour of need |
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and willingly risked their lives on behalf of their country; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, |
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80th Legislature, hereby honor the brave marines, sailors, and |
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soldiers from Texas who fell at Iwo Jima and pay tribute to the |
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surviving Texas veterans who participated in that pivotal battle |
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in our nation's history; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in |
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honor of the courage and dedication of these veterans. |
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Van de Putte |
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________________________________ |
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________________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that the |
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above Resolution was adopted by |
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the Senate on February 19, 2007. |
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________________________________ |
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________________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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________________________________ |
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________________________________ |
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Member, Texas Senate |