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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, World War II lasted from 1939 until 1945, and the |
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United States entered the war in 1941 following the attack on Pearl |
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Harbor; and |
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WHEREAS, Over 16 million Americans served their country and |
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its allies over the course of the war; and |
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WHEREAS, The generation of men and women who served our |
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country in World War II has been called "the greatest generation" |
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for their selfless sacrifice; and |
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WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is the highest military |
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decoration that is awarded by the United States government; and |
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WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is presented by the president of |
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the United States, in the name of Congress; and |
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WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is only conferred upon members of |
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the United States armed forces who distinguish themselves through |
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conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and |
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beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of |
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the United States, while engaged in military operations involving |
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conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with |
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friendly forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing |
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armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, More than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded to |
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our nation's bravest soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast |
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guardsmen since the creation of the award in 1861; and |
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WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor was awarded to 473 Americans |
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during World War II, and only four of those 473 Americans are alive |
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today; and |
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WHEREAS, Charles H. Coolidge of Tennessee, Francis S. Currey |
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of New York, Robert D. Maxwell of Oregon, and Hershel W. Williams of |
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West Virginia all served their country with conspicuous gallantry |
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and intrepidity at the risk of life and therefore deserve the |
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gratitude of the American people; and |
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WHEREAS, The president of the United States has the sole |
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authority to designate a state funeral; and |
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WHEREAS, Historically, the president of the United States has |
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designated state funerals for former presidents, generals, and |
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other extraordinary Americans; and |
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WHEREAS, Designating a state funeral when the last surviving |
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World War II Medal of Honor recipient dies would be a wonderful way |
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for the American people to unite and honor all 16 million soldiers, |
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sailors, and airmen who served in our armed forces from 1941 to |
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1945; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas, |
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hereby respectfully urge the president of the United States to |
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designate a state funeral for the last surviving Medal of Honor |
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recipient from World War II; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official |
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copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to |
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the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of |
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Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the |
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members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that |
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this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a |
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memorial to the Congress of the United States of America. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 59 was adopted by the Senate |
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on May 1, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 59 was adopted by the House |
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on May 22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 0, |
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two present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |