SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 232

WHEREAS, During the years 1917 to 1919, Texas and Texans played a prominent role in all aspects of the United States' involvement in the Great War; and

WHEREAS, Of the approximately 200,000 Texans who served in the military, on land, at sea, and in the air, 5,171 made the ultimate sacrifice for their country during World War I; and

WHEREAS, Texans served in the Army, Navy, and Marines, and Texas soldiers formed the Army's 36th and 90th Infantry Divisions; the state became a primary training location for numerous National Guard divisions mobilized from other states; Texas was also an early leader in military aviation, with more than a dozen Army aviation training and logistics bases established in the state; and

WHEREAS, Texans made noteworthy individual heroic contributions during their military service, and the state produced numerous Medal of Honor recipients, French Croix de Guerre recipients, and aviation aces; after World War I, many Texas veterans went on to make significant contributions in government, industry, the arts, and the military; and

WHEREAS, The people of Texas provided essential support to the war effort by producing needed materials, purchasing war bonds and stamps, participating in food conservation programs, and volunteering in civic organizations, such as the Red Cross, the YMCA, the Jewish Welfare Board, and the Salvation Army; Texas industry and agriculture provided livestock, oil, cotton, lumber, shipbuilding, and manufacturing in support of the war effort; and

WHEREAS, Texas cities, towns, and counties supported numerous military training facilities that were expanded in San Antonio and El Paso and newly constructed in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, and other locations around the state; students and alumni of Texas' institutions of higher education answered the call to serve in the Army, Navy, and Marines; and

WHEREAS, Texas minorities and women served with distinction in an era that often overlooked their contributions; more than 31,000 Texas African Americans served in the Army during the war, as did a substantial number of Mexican Americans and Native Americans; Texas women served as military service members and as civilian nurses, Red Cross volunteers, and communications specialists; and

WHEREAS, Both public and private organizations in Texas have preserved the historical landmarks, exhibits, and artifacts related to the state's prominent role in World War I, including the Battleship Texas, Hangar 9, and various museum exhibits; and

WHEREAS, Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice are at the forefrontofcommemorationsofthewar;allveterans,communities, and civilians around the state made sacrifices that helped win the war and ultimately propelled the United States and Texas onto the world stage; and

WHEREAS, In 2013, the United States, through an act of Congress and the establishment of the World War I Centennial Commission, initiated actions to recognize the 100th anniversary of the nation's many sacrifices during World War I; and

WHEREAS, The Texas World War I Centennial Commemoration Association has championed the recognition of the role of Texas and Texans in the Great War; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby recognize the commemoration of the centennial of World War I; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared as an expression of gratitude to those Texans who served in World War I and the Texas civilians who worked as part of the war effort and in appreciation for communities and organizations that seek to commemorate the centennial of the war through various actions and initiatives during the period of recognition between April 2017, the 100th anniversary of the United States' entry into the war, and June 2019, the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

Campbell

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 5, 2017.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate