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