Virginia 2022 Regular Session

Virginia House Bill HJR78

Introduced
1/12/22  
Refer
1/12/22  
Report Pass
2/3/22  
Engrossed
2/8/22  

Caption

World War II Medal of Honor recipient; President to designate a single state funeral upon death.

Impact

If enacted, HJR78 would resonate strongly within state and national cultural narratives by providing a formalized mechanism to honor the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient. This would not only memorialize the individual but also recognize the contributions of all veterans from this era. The resolution seeks to continue the tradition of state funerals for distinguished individuals, emphasizing the need for our nation to pay homage to its heroes.

Summary

HJR78 is a joint resolution that urges the President of the United States to designate a state funeral upon the death of the last living Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. The resolution highlights the significance of the Medal of Honor as the highest military decoration in the United States, awarded for exceptional valor in combat. Moreover, it addresses the historical context of World War II, during which around 16 million Americans served, underscoring the collective sacrifice of those who fought in this pivotal conflict.

Contention

While broadly supportive, discussions surrounding HJR78 may include concerns regarding how such a state funeral would be funded and the implications for the state’s role in national ceremonial practices. Additionally, since the resolution is merely a request to the President, it might spark debate about the appropriateness of state advocacy in federal recognition matters. Opponents may question whether this approach risks politicizing military honors or whether similar recognitions should be reserved explicitly for former presidents and other nationally significant figures.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

VA HR135

World War II Medal of Honor recipient; President to designate a single state funeral upon death.

VA HCR112

Requests the President of the United States to designate a state funeral after the death of the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II

VA SCR28

Urges the President of the United States to designate a state funeral for the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient

VA SCR59

Urging the president to designate a state funeral for the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.

VA HCR166

Urging the president to designate a state funeral for the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.

VA HR1110

To Recognize World War Ii Veteran And Medal Of Honor Recipient James R. Hendrix Of Arkansas.

VA HB4341

Establishing a State Military Funeral Honor Guard in honor of Hershel “Woody” Williams, known as the Hershel “Woody” Williams State Military Funeral Honor Guard

VA HCR104

Paying tribute to Hershel Woodrow Williams on the occasion of the 2019 Medal of Honor Host City Weekend in Gainesville.

VA HB2453

Designating the bridge, identified as Bridge Key 5059, carrying State Route 2021 over Mineral Springs Creek in the City of Reading, Berks County, as the PFC Lawrence J. Deisher Memorial Bridge; designating the bridge, identified as Bridge Key 6917, carrying State Route 4202 over Pennsylvania Route 611 in Doylestown Township, Bucks County, as the Donald E. Parlee Memorial Bridge; designating the portion of State Route 2017, also known as Lisburn Road, from Segment 90/Offset 300 to Segment 90/Offset 2200 in Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, as the Sgt. Josue "Rocky" Saez, Jr., Memorial Road; designating the portion of State Route 1016, also known as Holme Avenue, from the intersection with Winchester Avenue to the intersection with Holme Circle, in the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, as the Sergeant Timothy Simpson Memorial Road; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 8345, on that portion of U.S. Route 22 over Howells Run in Cambria Township, Cambria County, as the Michael G. Tsikalas Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 8344, carrying U.S. Route 22 over Pennsylvania Route 160, also known as New Germany Road, in Cambria Township, Cambria County, as the Charles J. Vizzini Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 3795, carrying Pennsylvania Route 251 over Interstate 376 in Chippewa Township, Beaver County, as the Private Mahlon R. Evans Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 57032, carrying Pennsylvania Route 351 over the Beaver River between Koppel Borough and North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, as the Sgt. Skip Haswell Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge carrying the Pennsylvania Turnpike Mainline Eastbound over the Beaver River at mile marker 13.2 in Beaver County as the Colonel Joseph H. Thompson Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge carrying the Pennsylvania Turnpike Mainline Westbound over the Beaver River at mile marker 13.2 in Beaver County as the Colonel Matthew S. Quay Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 68136, carrying State Route 4028 over Mill Creek in Hamburg Borough, Berks County, as the Sergeant Jackie Seltzer Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 52786, carrying Pennsylvania Route 213 over the Neshaminy Creek in Lower Southampton Township, Bucks County, as the Ensign Sarah Mitchell Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 47666, carrying U.S. Route 219 over the West Branch Susquehanna River in Susquehanna Township, Cambria County, as the Staff Sergeant Peter P. Abromovich Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 48914, carrying Gallitzin Road, State Route 53, over Norfolk Southern Railroad, located in Gallitzin Township, Cambria County, as the Corporal James R. Beck USMC Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 52761, carrying Pennsylvania Route 53 over Clearfield Creek in Gallitzin Township, Cambria County, as the Private Philip A. Watt Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 8645, carrying Galleria Drive (State Route 3031) over U.S. Route 219 in Richland Township, Cambria County, as the PFC Paul O. Malzi and PFC Harry R. Malzi Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 9755, carrying State Route 3027 over the Moshannon Creek in Rush Township, Centre County, as the Osceola Mills World War II Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 11380, carrying U.S. Route 219 over the West Branch Susquehanna River in Burnside Borough, Clearfield County, as the Sarah "Marie" Blose Rorabaugh Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 11226, carrying Pennsylvania Route 53 over the Clearfield Creek in Bigler Township, Clearfield County, as the Sergeant John Harold Branic Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 13685, carrying Army Heritage Drive over Interstate 81 in Middlesex Township, Cumberland County, as the Major General Harold "Harry" Greene Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 56021, carrying Pennsylvania Route 997 over Conodoguinet Creek in Letterkenny Township, Franklin County, as the Pvt. Clyde C. McVitty Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 18248, carrying State Route 2003 over Dunkard Creek in Mt. Morris, Perry Township, Greene County, as the H. Ronald Hoskinson Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 52783, carrying Pennsylvania Route 913 over Shoup Run in Coalmont Borough, Huntingdon County, as the Private Samuel H. Thompson Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 68411, carrying Jacksonville Road (State Route 3016) over Two Lick Creek in Homer City, Indiana County, as the Staff Sergeant William Stivison Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 67935, carrying State Route 1015 over the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River in Allegheny Township, Somerset County, as the Staff Sergeant William Will Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 31544, carrying State Route 1016 over the Dark Shade Creek in Shade Township, Somerset County, as the Seaman First Class Raymond Kozik Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 31426, carrying East Campus Avenue over U.S. Route 219 in Conemaugh Township, Somerset County, as the Kenneth J. Newcomer Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 31696, carrying State Route 3011 over the Casselman River in Black Township, Somerset County, as the S2 Earl J. Peters Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 36247, carrying Pennsylvania Route 711 over Loyalhanna Creek in Ligonier Township, Westmoreland County, as the Staff Sergeant Alvin P. Carey and Private John C. Ewing Medal of Honor Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 54167, carrying U.S. Route 30 over Paradise Creek between Paradise Township and Jackson Township, York County, as the Private Edward J. Stambaugh Memorial Bridge; designating a portion of U.S. Route 522 from the intersection with Main Street to the intersection with Town Hill Street in Shade Gap Borough, Huntingdon County, as the Special Agent Terry R. Anderson Memorial Highway; designating a portion of State Route 2008 from the intersection with State Route 2009 to the intersection with Pennsylvania Route 56 in West Wheatfield Township and East Wheatfield Township, Indiana County, as the Robindale Memorial Highway; designating the interchange of Interstate 380 with Pennsylvania Route 940 in Tobyhanna Township, Monroe County, as the William F. Quinn Memorial Interchange; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 8574, carrying State Route 1021 over Clearfield Creek in White Township, Cambria County, as the Sergeant Charles Owen Jenkins, Jr., Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, carrying the Pennsylvania Turnpike 576 Southern Beltway Eastbound and Westbound over Pennsylvania Route 980 at mile marker S-12.35, as the Terry D. Tackett Jr. Memorial Bridge; designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 56737, carrying Pennsylvania Route 74 over the Little Conewago Creek in Dover Township, York County, as the Corporal William E. Heilman Memorial Bridge; and making repeals.

VA HCR45

Urging Congress to bestow the Congressional Medal of Honor on Doris "Dorie" Miller for his heroism during World War II.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.