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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum in |
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Terrell is celebrating its 20th anniversary as a freestanding |
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institution on November 8, 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, Established during World War II as part of the |
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Lend-Lease Act, the No. 1 British Flying Training School in Terrell |
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was one of six schools in the United States set up to support |
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England's wartime efforts by training pilots for the Royal Air |
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Force; between 1941 and 1945, more than 2,000 pilots attended the |
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school, and many of the British trainees formed lifelong bonds with |
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the residents of Terrell, who welcomed the student pilots into |
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their homes and their community; each year, there is a Remembrance |
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Day ceremony at Oakland Memorial Park to memorialize the 20 cadets |
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who passed away while training in Terrell; and |
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WHEREAS, The No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum was |
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started by former cadets with the mission to honor the sacrifices |
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made by the pilots, educate citizens about the cooperation between |
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Britain and America, and honor the connections made between the |
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cadets and the people of North Texas; aviation enthusiasts, history |
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buffs, and veterans alike are drawn to the museum's fascinating |
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holdings, which include artifacts, photographs, logbooks, aircraft |
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models, training materials, equipment, uniforms, and other |
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memorabilia; initially housed at the Terrell Municipal Airport, the |
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museum opened its location on Silent Wings Boulevard on November 8, |
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2003; and |
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WHEREAS, Since its founding, the No. 1 British Flying |
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Training School Museum has celebrated a little-known chapter of |
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World War II history while honoring the strong bond of friendship |
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between two great nations, and it is a pleasure to recognize this |
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important milestone in the history of the institution; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature |
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hereby commemorate the 20th anniversary of the No. 1 British Flying |
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Training School Museum at its current location and extend to its |
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volunteers, board of directors, and staff sincere best wishes for |
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the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the museum as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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Senate. |