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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Many Americans served courageously in the Vietnam |
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War, the longest conflict in which the United States has ever been |
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engaged; and |
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WHEREAS, Members of the U.S. armed forces were initially sent |
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to South Vietnam in an advisory capacity in 1961; the first American |
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ground combat units arrived there in 1965, and by 1969 |
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approximately 543,000 U.S. troops were serving in that country; by |
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the time the war ended in April 1975, more than three million |
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Americans had seen duty in Southeast Asia; and |
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WHEREAS, The Vietnam War claimed the lives of more than |
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58,000 members of the U.S. armed forces, including over 3,400 |
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Texans; more than 2,500 American servicemen were taken prisoner, |
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and an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 were counted as missing in action; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Americans owe a lasting debt of gratitude and |
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remembrance to the men and women who served this country in Vietnam, |
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and it is indeed fitting that a special day be set aside to honor |
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those military personnel for their brave and steadfast efforts and |
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immeasurable sacrifice in one of the most difficult wars in this |
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nation's history; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate March 29, 2010, as Vietnam Veterans Day in the |
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State of Texas and encourage all citizens of the Lone Star State to |
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join in observing this solemn day of tribute and commemoration. |