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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, April 2011 marks the eighth anniversary of the fall |
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of Baghdad to coalition troops, and this milestone provides a |
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fitting occasion to recognize the hundreds of thousands of U.S. |
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military personnel who helped to liberate Iraq from the tyranny of |
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Saddam Hussein and who have fought to help stabilize that country in |
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the difficult years that have followed; and |
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WHEREAS, Texans have long been supportive of all who serve in |
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the United States armed forces, and many of its own sons and |
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daughters have answered their country's call; as of January 2011, |
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more than 29,000 Texans in the active duty branches were serving in |
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Operation New Dawn, centered on Iraq, and Operation Enduring |
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Freedom, centered on Afghanistan; among these troops were more than |
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18,000 soldiers, over 4,000 airmen and airwomen, more than 3,500 |
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sailors, and over 2,500 marines, in addition to approximately 3,000 |
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members of the reserves; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas currently boasts the second-largest |
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population of veterans in the nation, with more than 1.7 million |
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vets residing in the Lone Star State; it is estimated that this |
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number includes over 111,000 veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom |
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and Enduring Freedom; and |
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WHEREAS, To date, 19 Texans who have served in Iraq have been |
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accorded the Silver Star, the third-highest award for gallantry in |
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action, and one soldier has been awarded the Distinguished Service |
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Cross, the army's second-highest decoration for valor; and |
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WHEREAS, More than 4,000 servicemen and servicewomen have |
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given their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom and its successor, |
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Operation New Dawn, and approximately 32,000 U.S. troops have been |
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wounded; the number of Texans who have died in the Iraq and |
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Afghanistan operations together currently stands at more than 520; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, America's mission overseas has demanded fortitude, |
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skill, and determination on the part of its military personnel, and |
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they have performed with exemplary dedication and professionalism; |
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their service stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of |
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this nation's armed forces; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby pay tribute to all Texans who have served in |
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Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn and extend to them profound |
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appreciation for their selfless endeavors in this country's behalf. |