Amend CSHCR 56 (house committee printing) by striking page 1, line 1, through page 2, line 21, and substituting the following:

WHEREAS, The Purple Heart is a combat decoration awarded to members of the United States armed forces who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy or presented to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action; and

WHEREAS, Originally established by General George Washington during the Revolutionary War, the Purple Heart was revived by means of a presidential executive order on February 22, 1932, the 200th anniversary of President Washington's birth, out of respect for his military achievements; the criteria were announced by the War Department on that date in General Order No. 3; and

WHEREAS, Texas is home to 1.5 million veterans, representing 5 percent of the nation's total veteran population; the state has 30 Purple Heart cities, 4 Purple Heart counties, and 9 Purple Heart universities, which have all committed to recognizing veterans and honoring their commitments to veterans services; in addition, Texas is home to Belton New Tech High at Waskow, the first high school in the nation to earn a Purple Heart School designation, and to Purple Heart Elementary School in El Paso; and

WHEREAS, Numerous Texas agencies provide services to benefit former members of the military, including the Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Veterans Land Board, Office of the Adjutant General, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, State Bar of Texas, Department of State Health Services, Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Workforce Investment Council, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments, Texas Commission on Jail Standards, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and Texas Department of Agriculture; and

WHEREAS, The State of Texas is dedicated to improving the lives of its veterans with the highest standard of services, and it acknowledges the enormous sacrifices made by recipients of the Purple Heart; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby recognize Texas as a Purple Heart State and encourage agencies and government bodies at all levels to serve veterans with the same degree of devotion demonstrated by members of the armed forces in their service to our state and nation; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby designate February 22 as Purple Heart Day; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section 391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally passed by the legislature.