81R13322 JH-D
By: Miklos H.R. No. 773
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Retired U.S. Navy commander Charles Stackhouse is
celebrating his 69th birthday on March 13, 2009, and this occasion
provides a welcome opportunity to pay tribute to this heroic
veteran of our armed forces; and
WHEREAS, Born in Wisconsin in 1940 and raised in Ohio,
Charlie Stackhouse entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1957 and
played for the Navy football team while completing his studies as a
midshipman; after graduating from flight training, he joined the
VA-76 squadron and was a carrier jet pilot aboard the USS Enterprise
and the USS Bonhomme Richard; and
WHEREAS, Commander Stackhouse completed 130 combat missions
in the course of his career, but a fateful flight on April 25, 1967,
changed the course of his life; while engaged in aerial combat over
North Vietnam, his plane was shot down, and he was captured by the
enemy; a prisoner of war for nearly six years, this courageous
officer was able to endure the hardships of confinement thanks to
his spiritual faith, his patriotic ideals, and the support of his
fellow prisoners; and
WHEREAS, After gaining his freedom, Commander Stackhouse
continued his naval service and furthered his education by
graduating from the MBA program at Southern Methodist University
and the U.S. Navy Legal School, in addition to completing other
courses of study; he distinguished himself in several senior
managerial positions and ultimately retired from the Navy in 1996;
during his years in uniform, he earned numerous decorations,
including the Silver Star, the Distinguished Service Medal, 2
Purple Hearts, 10 Air Medals, and the Legion of Merit and the Bronze
Star, both with "V" designations; and
WHEREAS, Commander Stackhouse and his wife, Wilma, reside in
East Texas, where they enjoy spending time on their farm with their
horses, Sadie and Cinnamon, their dogs, Callie, Annie, and Buddie,
and their cat, Tiger; Mr. Stackhouse frequently makes speeches in
Texas and around the country in which he recounts his experiences
and the lessons he learned in the course of his valiant service; and
WHEREAS, An admirable American who bravely served his country
and persevered in the face of extreme difficulty, Charles
Stackhouse has fulfilled the highest expectations of the United
States armed forces, and it is a pleasure to extend birthday
greetings to him and to commend him for his outstanding military
career; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby honor Charles Stackhouse on the occasion of his
69th birthday and extend to him best wishes for continued
happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Commander Stackhouse as an expression of high regard
by the Texas House of Representatives.