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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The observance of World War II Veterans Capitol Day |
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on May 11, 2023, provides an opportunity to honor brave members of |
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the Greatest Generation for their selfless service; and |
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WHEREAS, In December 1941, the United States was drawn into |
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the most devastating and consequential conflict in human history; |
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then-Texas Governor Coke R. Stevenson predicted that Texans would |
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rise proudly to the challenge of defending their country, and he was |
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proved correct by the long lines of men waiting eagerly to enlist at |
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recruiting centers around the state; and |
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WHEREAS, Although Texas in that era had but five percent of |
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the nation's population, it provided seven percent of armed forces |
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personnel; Texas A&M University produced more officers than both of |
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the extant military academies together; by the end of the war, |
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750,000 Texans, including 12,000 women, had contributed to victory |
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over enemy forces; the majority of these service members were in the |
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U.S. Army and the Army Air Force, but nearly a quarter served in |
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other branches; over 22,000 Texans made the ultimate sacrifice, a |
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third of this number in the navy, marines, or coast guard; and |
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WHEREAS, Individual Texans fought with great valor in all the |
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theaters of the war, and 33 were awarded the Medal of Honor; one |
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such honoree, Lieutenant Audie L. Murphy of Farmersville, was the |
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most highly decorated American of the Second World War; more than |
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150 generals and 12 admirals were either natives or residents of |
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Texas, among them the supreme Allied commander in Europe, General |
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Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Denison native who was stationed at Fort Sam |
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Houston when the war began; Chester W. Nimitz, appointed commander |
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of the Pacific Fleet following the attack on Pearl Harbor, was born |
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in Fredericksburg and descended from a pioneer Texas German family; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, According to the National World War II Museum, as of |
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2022, 8,200 World War II veterans were living in Texas, the |
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fifth-highest number of all states in the U.S.; they represent 0.6 |
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percent of the state's total veteran population of approximately |
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1,400,000; and |
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WHEREAS, Inspired by a deep sense of patriotism and love for |
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democracy, the veterans of World War II answered their nation's |
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call to duty, and it is indeed fitting to express our enduring |
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respect and admiration for their courage and immeasurable |
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fortitude; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Senate of the 88th Texas Legislature |
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hereby recognize May 11, 2023, as World War II Veterans Capitol Day |
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and encourage all residents of the Lone Star State to learn more |
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about the incomparable contributions of the Greatest Generation. |