83R8116 JGH-D
By: Herrero H.R. No. 1419
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Ever since his own military service in the 1960s,
musician and music teacher Ram Chavez of Corpus Christi has
dedicated countless hours to honoring and supporting his fellow
veterans; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from Miller High School in 1964,
Mr. Chavez performed with his Tejano and pop band, Ram and the
Impalas, before answering his nation's call to duty during the
Vietnam War and joining the U.S. Army; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chavez served as a combat medic with Company D,
12th Regiment, 4th Battalion, 199th Light Infantry Brigade, and he
often risked his life while tending to his wounded comrades; for his
courage under fire, he earned the Silver Star and the Bronze Star
with Valor; and
WHEREAS, Following his return to Texas and civilian life,
Mr. Chavez embarked on a four-decade career as a music teacher and
band director; in 1986, seeing the need for live music at events
honoring veterans, he founded the Veterans Band of Corpus Christi;
made up of veterans of every branch of the armed forces, the group
includes postal workers, businesspeople, medical personnel,
refinery workers, school employees, and retirees; and
WHEREAS, This inspiring ensemble has performed at a variety
of events in Corpus Christi and for hundreds of ceremonies honoring
veterans, including the 1994 Veterans Day program in Washington,
D.C., when it appeared before 100,000 veterans at the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial; the band has also played for three presidents
and two Texas governors, including Governor Ann Richards on the
occasion of her inauguration; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his work with the band, Mr. Chavez
has devoted much effort to archiving information about veterans,
filling a binder with lists of those who have made the ultimate
sacrifice for their country and providing more than 160 photos of
South Texas service members killed in action to the permanent
archive of the Education Center at the Wall in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, Americans owe a profound debt of gratitude to those
who serve our nation, and Ram Chavez's gift of music and remembrance
to our men and women in uniform, past and present, is truly
deserving of special recognition; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby honor Ram Chavez for his efforts in behalf of
veterans and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued
success with his important work; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Chavez as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.