ENROLLED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 112
BY REPRESENTATIVE ARMES
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request the President of the United States to designate a state funeral for the last
surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II when such recipient passes
away.
WHEREAS, World War II, the most widespread war in history, lasted from 1939
until 1945; and
WHEREAS, the United States entered the war in 1941, following an attack on Pearl
Harbor by Japanese fighter planes; and
WHEREAS, over sixteen million Americans served their country and the Allied
powers over the course of the war; and
WHEREAS, the generation of men and women who served our country in World
War II have been collectively called the "greatest generation" for their selfless sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded by the
United States government, is presented by the President of the United States, in the name of
Congress; and
WHEREAS, the Medal of Honor is only conferred upon members of the United
States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action
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against an enemy of the United States, while engaged in military operations involving
conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly forces engaged in an
armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States was not a
belligerent party; and
WHEREAS, more than three thousand four hundred Medals of Honor have been
awarded to our nation's bravest soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen since
the creation of the award in 1861; and
WHEREAS, the Medal of Honor was awarded to three hundred fifty-three
Americans during World War II and only four of those three hundred fifty-three Americans
are alive today; and
WHEREAS, each of those courageous servicemen, Charles H. Coolidge of
Tennessee, Francis S. Currey of New York, Robert D. Maxwell of Oregon, and Hershel
Woodrow Williams of West Virginia, risked his life while serving his country with
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity and therefore deserves the gratitude of the American
people; and
WHEREAS, the President of the United States has the sole authority to designate a
state funeral; and
WHEREAS, historically, the President of the United States has designated state
funerals for former presidents, generals, and other extraordinary Americans; and
WHEREAS, our nation is currently divided and yearns for a unifying national event;
and
WHEREAS, designating a state funeral when the last surviving World War II Medal
of Honor recipient dies would be a wonderful way for the American people to unite and
honor all sixteen million soldiers, sailors, and airmen who served in our Armed Forces from
1941 to 1945.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the President of the United States to designate a state funeral for the last
surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II when such recipient passes away.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the Louisiana House of
Representatives be instructed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to the President
of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States
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House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, and all
members of the Louisiana congressional delegation.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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