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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The exemplary acts of bravery and distinguished |
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service rendered by the members of the United States military are |
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honored in a variety of ways, but it is the Purple Heart that speaks |
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most eloquently to the essential sacrifices that are often required |
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of those who fight for our nation; and |
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WHEREAS, The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the |
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president of the United States to any member of the armed forces who |
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is wounded or killed by the enemy in combat operations; and |
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WHEREAS, This medal dates to the early years of our nation, |
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having originally been authorized by General George Washington, on |
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August 7, 1782, to recognize members of the Continental Army during |
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the Revolutionary War; known as the Badge of Military Merit, the |
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award created by General Washington entitled recipients to wear a |
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heart-shaped figure of purple cloth as a symbol of their exemplary |
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actions; and |
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WHEREAS, When reestablished in 1932, the Purple Heart was |
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initially a commendation for members of the United States Army and |
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United States Army Air Corps and was retroactively awarded to |
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soldiers in previous conflicts; in 1942, its scope was broadened to |
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include the members of all branches of the military who had been |
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killed or wounded in action, and the National Purple Heart Hall of |
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Honor estimates that 1.7 million Americans have received the medal |
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through the years; and |
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WHEREAS, In momentous conflicts that range from the Civil War |
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through the present engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan, valiant |
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men and women have stepped into harm's way to defend our country, |
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and those who paid with their lives or who were wounded in combat |
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are deservedly honored by being designated recipients of the Purple |
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Heart; and |
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WHEREAS, These courageous individuals are owed a debt of |
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remembrance by all who have benefited from their service, and it is |
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indeed appropriate that their heroism be annually honored by the |
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citizens of Texas on August 7, the anniversary of the date on which |
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General Washington established the Badge of Military Merit; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby designate August 7 as Purple Heart Day and urge all Texans to |
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reflect on the extraordinary contributions made by the past and |
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present members of the United States armed forces; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That in accordance with the provisions of |
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Subsection (d), Section 391.004, Government Code, the designation |
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expires on the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is |
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passed by the legislature. |