81R28095 JKB-D
By: Castro H.R. No. 2069
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Francisco O. Chapa has rendered exemplary service to
his nation, his family, and his community, and he is indeed
deserving of recognition for his many accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chapa was born in Sinton on October 10, 1922; he
answered his nation's call to duty with service in the U.S. Army
during World War II, during which he participated in the Allied
D-Day landings at Normandy and fought under General George Patton
at the Battle of the Bulge; he received several commendations for
his actions, including the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II
Victory Medal, the American Theater Ribbon, the
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with Silver Star
Device, and the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster; and
WHEREAS, After concluding his military service in 1947, Mr.
Chapa returned home, and on February 27, 1949, he married his wife,
Virginia; the couple raised six children, and over the years, the
family has grown to include numerous grandchildren; Mr. Chapa was a
longtime civil service employee at Naval Air Station Corpus
Christi; after retiring from that position, he went to work for Del
Mar College; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to the ideal of equality in education, Mr.
Chapa worked with Dr. Hector Garcia and the American G.I. Forum to
bring a discrimination lawsuit against the school district serving
the cities of Sinton and Odem; the case, Chapa v. Odem Independent
School District, was decided in Mr. Chapa's favor in 1967, and this
development marked an important step in the effort to end
institutionalized discrimination against Hispanics in the Lone
Star State; and
WHEREAS, Through his commitment to the greater good and his
bravery in both military combat and in the American struggle for
civil rights, Francisco Chapa has set an admirable example for
future generations, and his work will long be treasured by his loved
ones and all who know this admirable Texan; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor Francisco O. Chapa for his contributions
as a soldier and citizen and extend to him sincere best wishes for
the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Chapa as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.