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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Joe Hernandez of Pampa was presented a Bronze Star |
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on March 12, 2013, in recognition of his courageous service as a |
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member of the United States Army in World War II; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Hernandez graduated from Pampa High School in |
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May 1944 and, answering his country's call to duty, enlisted in the |
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United States Army that September; after 12 weeks of training in |
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Mineral Wells, he was sent to the front lines in Europe, where |
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Allied forces had just pushed back a massive German offensive in the |
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Battle of the Bulge; and |
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WHEREAS, In February 1945, Mr. Hernandez joined the 78th |
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Division in Schmidt, Germany, near the Belgian border; as the |
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Allies pushed ever deeper into Germany from the west, he and his |
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unit marched up to 20 miles a day; during their advance, Mr. |
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Hernandez sustained multiple injuries from mortar shrapnel in the |
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course of a firefight with German troops; he was sent to Paris to |
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recuperate, but after just three weeks he returned to the front; |
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following the end of the war in Europe, he remained in Germany for a |
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time on occupation duty; and |
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WHEREAS, For his intrepid service, Mr. Hernandez was awarded |
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the Combat Infantry Badge, a decoration that made him eligible for |
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the Bronze Star; he is also the recipient of the Purple Heart, the |
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Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign |
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Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Army of Occupation of |
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Germany and Japan Medal; and |
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WHEREAS, After his discharge from the military, this esteemed |
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veteran returned home, married, and raised a family; he worked for |
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the railroad and then spent 27 years as a mail carrier with the |
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postal service before his retirement; and |
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WHEREAS, Joe Hernandez exemplifies the selflessness and |
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courage of those who fought for this country during the most |
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far-reaching conflict in world history, and his fellow citizens owe |
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him a profound and lasting debt of gratitude; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Joe Hernandez on his receipt of the Bronze |
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Star and extend to him sincere appreciation for his steadfast |
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patriotism and service; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Hernandez as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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King of Hemphill |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1260 was adopted by the House on April |
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17, 2013, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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