82R13054 RYA-D
 
  By: Smith of Harris H.C.R. No. 115
 
 
 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
         WHEREAS, The battleship Texas, built nearly a century ago,
  endures as one of this state's most recognized and revered
  historical monuments; and
         WHEREAS, Commissioned on March 12, 1914, the Texas served in
  World War I and World War II and saw action in the Atlantic and
  Pacific; during the Second World War, it supported the allied
  invasion of North Africa, the D-Day invasion at Normandy, and the
  invasion of Southern France, as well as the assaults at Iwo Jima and
  Okinawa; remarkably, the Texas suffered only one combat casualty
  during its many naval campaigns, earning it the nickname "the Lucky
  Ship"; and
         WHEREAS, Over the course of its long history, the USS Texas
  experienced many notable firsts, including being the first U.S.
  battleship to launch an airplane and the first ship in the U.S. Navy
  to use radar; and
         WHEREAS, The Texas was decommissioned on April 21, 1948, and
  retired to its present berth at the San Jacinto Battleground State
  Historic Site; registered as a National Historic Landmark and as a
  National Mechanical Engineering Landmark, the Texas has also been
  designated as the official State Ship of Texas, and it serves as the
  flagship of the Texas Navy; the battleship is under the care and
  direction of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and it
  receives crucial support from the Battleship Texas Foundation; and
         WHEREAS, Led by retired military leaders and by concerned
  business and civic leaders and community volunteers, the foundation
  is a nonprofit group that raises funds to assist in the ship's
  preservation and restoration; in addition, the foundation supports
  a number of outreach initiatives, including the Youth Education
  Program, the Overnight Program, and hard hat tours of areas on the
  ship that are normally closed to the public; and
         WHEREAS, An icon of the Lone Star State, the battleship Texas
  is an imposing monument to freedom and a majestic memorial to all
  those Americans who have served in its defense; now, therefore, be
  it
         RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby recognize the historical and cultural importance of the
  battleship Texas and commend the Battleship Texas Foundation for
  its ongoing efforts to preserve this unique asset of the Lone Star
  State for future generations; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for the Battleship Texas Foundation as an expression of
  high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.