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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, United States Air Force veteran Robert Ross of Waco |
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has been featured in the Waco Tribune-Herald as one of its Voices of |
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Valor; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Gowanda, New York, Mr. Ross joined the |
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U.S. Army Air Force in 1942, at the age of 18; after earning his |
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pilot's wings in January 1944, he flew armed photographic and |
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combat missions with the 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in |
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the Pacific during World War II; initially assigned to the |
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Philippines, he later relocated to the island of Ie Shima, and in |
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one of his final flights of the conflict, he photographed the |
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Japanese city of Nagasaki the day after it had been destroyed in the |
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war's second atomic bomb blast; and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Ross eventually left active duty to pursue his |
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education on the G.I. Bill and joined the New York National Guard; |
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his unit was called up at the time of the Korean War, during which he |
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was stationed in Niagara Falls and Fairbanks, Alaska; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1970, Mr. Ross retired as a lieutenant colonel |
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after a 28-year military career, which included flying 115 |
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missions; this decorated veteran earned the Distinguished Flying |
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Cross and three Air Medals for his exemplary service, and he went on |
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to work for the Veterans Administration for 23 years; and |
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WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. Ross enjoyed the love and |
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support of his wife, Margaret, with whom he shared his life for more |
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than 70 years before her passing in 2016; together, the couple had |
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the pleasure of watching their family grow to include three |
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children, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren; and |
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WHEREAS, Through his bravery and devotion to our nation, |
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Robert Ross fulfilled the highest ideals of the United States armed |
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forces, and his fellow citizens owe him a lasting debt of gratitude |
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for his contributions; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Robert Ross on being recognized as |
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one of the Voices of Valor by the Waco Tribune-Herald and honor him |
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for his exemplary service to his country; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Ross as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |
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Anderson of McLennan |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 696 was adopted by the House on March |
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16, 2017, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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