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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Houston lodge of the Chinese American Citizens |
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Alliance is commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World |
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War II and paying tribute to the service of Chinese American |
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veterans by hosting a luncheon, "Honoring Our Veterans," on May 30, |
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2015, at the Tracy Gee Community Center; and |
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WHEREAS, Chinese Americans have served in every American |
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conflict since the Civil War, but it was not until World War II that |
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many of them were allowed to serve in combat; approximately 20,000 |
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Chinese Americans took part in the war, mostly as members of the |
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U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Air Forces; and |
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WHEREAS, Among their number was Captain Francis B. Wai, who |
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displayed conspicuous bravery while fighting in the Philippines in |
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1944 and who was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service |
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Cross, which was upgraded in 2000 to a Medal of Honor; Commander |
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Gordon Pai'ea Chung-Hoon of the U.S.S. Sigsbee received the Navy |
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Cross for leading the efforts to save his ship after a kamikaze |
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attack; he ended his career in 1959 as a rear admiral; and |
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WHEREAS, Chinese American women also served during World War |
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II in the Military Intelligence Service of the Women's Army Corps |
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and in the U.S. Army Air Forces; Maggie Gee and Hazel Ying Lee of the |
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Women Airforce Service Pilots flew logistics missions, and Ms. Gee |
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trained male pilots for combat; and |
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WHEREAS, All Americans owe a profound debt of gratitude to |
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those Chinese Americans who wore our nation's uniform during World |
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War II and other conflicts, and the event in Houston is a fitting |
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opportunity to recognize their heroism and sacrifice in this |
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country's time of need; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas |
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Legislature hereby commemorate the World War II memorial luncheon |
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in Houston and extend to the members of the Chinese American |
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Citizens Alliance and their honored guests sincere best wishes for |
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a meaningful and memorable event; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Chinese American Citizens Alliance as an |
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expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. |