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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 28
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 has been called the "greatest
generation" for their selfless sacrifice; and
Whereas, the Medal of Honor is the highest military
decoration that is awarded by the United States go vernment;
and
Whereas, the Medal of Honor 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 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 is not a belligerent
party; and
Whereas, more than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been
awarded to our nation's bravest soldie rs, sailors, airmen,
marines, and coast guardsmen since the creation of the award
in 1861; and
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Whereas, the Medal of Honor was awarded to 353
Americans during World War II; and
Whereas, only one of those 353 Americans is alive
today; and
Whereas, Hershel Woodrow Williams of West Virginia
served his country with conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of life and therefore deserves the
gratitude of the American people; and
Whereas, the President of the United States has t he
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 currentl y 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:
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved by the members of the
Missouri Senate, One Hundred First General Assembly, Second
Regular Session, the House of Representatives concurri ng
therein, hereby urge the President of the United States to
designate a state funeral for the last surviving Medal of
Honor recipient from World War II; and
Be It Further Resolved that the Secretary of the Senate
be instructed to prepare a prope rly inscribed copy of this
resolution for the President of the United States, the Vice
President of the United States, the Speaker of the United
States House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore
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of the United States Senate, and all members of the Missouri
congressional delegation.