H.C.R. No. 46
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Commemorative Air Force is dedicated to
acquiring, restoring, and preserving in operating condition a
complete collection of the combat aircraft flown by every military
service of the United States, as well as selected aircraft of other
nations; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1957 by former American service pilots in
the Rio Grande Valley, the CAF is now based in Midland and has been
recognized since 1972 as the official Air Force of the State of
Texas; today the CAF has 75 units around the world, and its more
than 9,000 members fly and maintain a CAF fleet of over 170 vintage
warplanes; and
WHEREAS, One of these rare crafts is the oldest and only
flight-worthy B-24A Liberator in existence; known as "Ol' 927" and
based at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison, this plane will
soon be embarking on its Land of Liberty Tour, a statewide tour of
Texas for the purpose of encouraging a renewed appreciation for
patriotism and freedom among students and adults alike; informative
programming for this occasion is to be provided by the American
Airpower Heritage Museum, the educational complement to the CAF;
and
WHEREAS, Located at the Midland International Airport and
consistently voted the top local tourist attraction by the
surrounding community, the CAF Airpower Museum is nationally
accredited by the American Association of Museums and has recently
been named an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution; its mission
is to preserve the complete history of World War II military
aviation and the memory of the men and women who built, serviced,
and flew U.S. military aircraft in that conflict; and
WHEREAS, Each year, in tribute to their personal sacrifice,
courage under fire, and faith in American values, several
individuals and a combat unit are inducted into the museum's
American Combat Airman Hall of Fame; following the recognition of
the honorees at an annual banquet, their induction panels and
videos are added as permanent exhibits in the Hall of Fame gallery;
and
WHEREAS, The CAF has also instituted the Texas Medal of Honor
Memorial at CAF International Headquarters; an eight-foot bronze
figure of Medal of Honor recipient and Midland resident George H.
O'Brien, Jr., stands at the entrance of the gallery, next to a black
granite plinth that lists all Texas Medal of Honor winners, from the
Civil War to the present day, while display cases upstairs
elaborate on the heroism of the memorial's namesake; exhibit panels
recounting the valor of other recipients are unveiled annually at a
CAF banquet; and
WHEREAS, In meeting the complex challenges of the world
today, it is vital that our citizenry remember the lessons of the
past, and the Commemorative Air Force is making a crucial
contribution to that end through its outstanding work in preserving
the military aviation history of this country; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby honor the Commemorative Air Force for its inspiring
educational programs and for its crucial efforts to preserve the
history of American military aviation; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Commemorative Air Force as an expression of high
regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate.
Craddick
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 46 was adopted by the House on
February 17, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 46 was adopted by the Senate on
March 9, 2009, by a viva-voce vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor