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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Members of the American Gold Star Mothers from |
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across the United States are joining together on September 27, |
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2015, to commemorate Gold Star Mother's Day, in remembrance of the |
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sons and daughters who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of |
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their nation; and |
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WHEREAS, Established in 1929, American Gold Star Mothers is a |
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nonprofit organization composed of mothers of U.S. service members |
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killed in action during times of war or conflict; the group takes |
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its name from the tradition of displaying a service flag to |
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represent each family member in the military, with blue stars for |
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living members and gold stars symbolizing those who perished in |
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battle; Gold Star Mothers help perpetuate the memory of their loved |
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ones by hosting remembrance events, doing volunteer work at |
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veterans' hospitals, and spreading a message of respect and |
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reverence for members of the armed forces; and |
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WHEREAS, Gold Star Mother's Day is observed each year on the |
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last Sunday in September, and the occasion is marked by a |
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proclamation from the President of the United States asking all |
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Americans to display the Stars and Stripes and to express |
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condolences and appreciation to Gold Star Mothers and their |
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families; and |
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WHEREAS, In tribute to the 3,417 Texans who died during the |
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Vietnam War, Texas Gold Star Mother Oleta Smith of Dumas attended |
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the dedication of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument in |
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March 2014; there, Mrs. Smith laid a wreath on behalf of all Texas |
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Gold Star Mothers who lost someone in Vietnam, and in memory of her |
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son, U.S. Army Sergeant James Warren Smith; and |
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WHEREAS, Our state and nation are fortunate to have men and |
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women whose patriotism and commitment to duty have led them to take |
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up military service, and it is indeed fitting at this time that we |
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pause in heartfelt tribute to those Americans who have given their |
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lives to protect our freedom as well as to those who continue to |
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honor their sacrifice; 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 Gold Star Mother's Day 2015 and |
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extend profound sympathy to all Texas families who have lost a loved |
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one in service to our country. |