Texas Senate Bill SB238

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the awarding of the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor.

Impact

The bill's passage would institutionalize a more structured procedure for recognizing exemplary military service through the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor. It emphasizes the importance the state places on honoring those who have served in military capacities, enhancing the medal's prestige and ensuring that the award is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated remarkable service. Furthermore, by establishing clear parameters around nominations and awards during regular sessions, it promotes consistency in how the state honors its veterans and active service members.

Summary

Senate Bill 238, introduced in 2013, relates to the awarding of the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor. The bill seeks to amend the existing criteria by which the Legislature can authorize the Governor to award this prestigious recognition. Specifically, it outlines that the nomination of individuals for the Medal must be coordinated by the chairs of the nominating committee, who will jointly prepare a concurrent resolution for the award. This process affirms that the award can only be directed during a regular legislative session and restricts the awarding to one individual for military service prior to 1956 and one individual for subsequent service, thus limiting the number of honorees in any given session to two.

Contention

Notable points of contention could arise surrounding the nominations and the conditions under which they are made, particularly concerning the historical impact on those recognized prior to the cutoff year of 1956. Some may argue that the reduced number of awards limits broader recognition of the sacrifices made by various service members across all periods. This stipulation could lead to discussions about equitable representation of different military eras, potentially sparking debate among legislators and advocacy groups focused on veteran affairs.