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BILL ANALYSIS |
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By: Pena |
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Pedro Cano, born in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, moved with his family to Texas as an infant and spent the rest of his life in the Rio Grande Valley. As a member of the 4th Infantry, Private Cano was deployed to Europe during World War II. In December 1944, Pvt. Cano was advancing with his company near Schevenhutte, Germany when they came under intense fire from German machine guns. With his comrades were pinned down and unable to advance, Pvt. Cano worked his way forward alone, traveling more than 100 yards of mined terrain and under a hail of bullets, until he was within 30 feet of the nearest German emplacement. Firing one round with his hand-held rocket launcher, Pvt. Cano killed the two gunners and the five supporting riflemen, then moved on to the second emplacement where he attacked with his rifle and hand grenades and killed several more soldiers. With another American company nearby and similarly pinned down, Pvt. Cano moved to within 15 yards of a third emplacement, killed its two gunners with a rocket, then destroyed yet another emplacement and killed its gunners, allowing the American company to advance.
The next day, American forces encountered heavy German resistance and Pvt. Cano again moved forward alone with his bazooka, crossing open fire-swept ground he succeeded in suppressing three more machine-gun positions, bringing to nearly 30 the number of German soldiers he killed during that two-day period. Later, while on patrol, Pvt. Cano and his platoon were surprised by German soldiers, who inflicted heavy causalities on the Americans. Pvt. Cano lay motionless until the Germans approached; he then tossed a grenade into their midst, wounding or killing all of them.
During this engagement, or shortly afterward, Pvt. Cano sustained injuries that left him permanently disabled. He was awarded the Purple Heart, two Silver Stars, and the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), the nation's second-highest award for valor.On April 26, 1946, General Jonathan M. Wainwright formally presented the Distinguished Service Cross to former Private Cano. General Wainwright declared that Pedro Cano was deserving of our nation's highest military honor, the Medal of Honor. It is certain the Pedro Cano is deserving of the State of Texas' highest honor, the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
HCR 5 resolves that the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas posthumously confer the
Texas Legislative Medal of Honor on Private Cano in recognition of his heroic service and expresses to his family its deepest appreciation on behalf of all his fellow Texans.