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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Eugene Gutierrez Jr. of McAllen was presented with |
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the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the nation's highest civilian |
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awards, at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on February 3, 2015; and |
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WHEREAS, Gene Gutierrez answered his nation's call to duty by |
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enlisting in the United States Army in 1941, and the following year, |
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he volunteered as a paratrooper in the First Special Service Force; |
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commonly known as the "Devil's Brigade," this 1,800-member unit was |
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composed of elite American and Canadian soldiers who specialized in |
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hand-to-hand combat and mountain warfare; and |
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WHEREAS, The covert military outfit played a crucial role at |
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the height of World War II and proved especially effective at |
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combating Axis forces during fighting in Italy; Mr. Gutierrez was |
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among the members of the unit who took part in operations against |
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the Germans near Anzio and helped liberate Rome from fascist |
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control in June 1944; before being disbanded at the end of that |
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year, the brigade was responsible for capturing more than 30,000 |
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prisoners, and its legacy was later recognized with five U.S. |
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campaign stars and eight Canadian battle honors; and |
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WHEREAS, After returning to civilian life, Mr. Gutierrez |
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graduated with two degrees from Oklahoma State University, and in |
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1950 he settled in McAllen; there, he enjoyed a fulfilling career in |
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education with the McAllen Independent School District, becoming |
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the city's first Hispanic principal and later serving as |
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superintendent; he retired as principal of Lincoln Middle School in |
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1980; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, Mr. Gutierrez continues to be an active |
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member of his community through his efforts as a parishioner at Our |
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Lady of Sorrows Church and as a member of the Serra Club; in all of |
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his endeavors, this esteemed Texan is blessed with the love and |
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support of his wife of 62 years, Penny, and he takes great pride in |
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his three children and four grandchildren; in addition to receiving |
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the Congressional Gold Medal, he was honored for his military |
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service with the Bronze Star Medal in 2008; and |
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WHEREAS, Gene Gutierrez served his country bravely and |
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loyally during a crucial moment in its history, contributing to the |
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ultimate Allied victory in World War II, and he is truly deserving |
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of this prestigious Congressional commendation; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Eugene Gutierrez Jr. on his receipt |
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of the Congressional Gold Medal and extend to him profound |
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gratitude for his extraordinary valor and sacrifice; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Gutierrez as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |
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Guerra |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 817 was adopted by the House on March |
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12, 2015, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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