H.C.R. No. 111
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Fort Hood is celebrating its 75th anniversary in
2017, and this is a fitting opportunity to pay tribute to the base's
significant role in the history of our state and nation; and
WHEREAS, In January 1942, only weeks after the Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Army announced that it was
establishing a tank destroyer tactical and firing center near
Killeen, and on April 2, 1942, the 893rd Tank Destroyer Battalion
under the command of General Andrew D. Bruce arrived from Fort
Meade, Maryland; named after Confederate Army General John Bell
Hood, Camp Hood was officially opened on September 18, 1942; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, Camp Hood's mission expanded to
include basic training; nearly 100,000 soldiers trained for combat
there, and in the later years of the war, approximately 4,000 German
prisoners were interned at the camp; in 1950, it was renamed Fort
Hood, and permanent buildings began to be constructed; and
WHEREAS, Since 1961, Fort Hood has been home to the U.S. Army
III Corps, and its current roster includes the 1st Cavalry Division
and 1st Army Division West; units from Fort Hood have deployed to
every major conflict since World War II, including Korea, Vietnam,
Somalia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Afghanistan, and Iraq; it also
supports homeland security as the antiterror training ground for
Army Reserve and National Guard units; and
WHEREAS, Today, the "Great Place" has grown from its original
108,000 acres to nearly 218,000 acres across the rolling hills of
Central Texas; it serves a population of 400,000, including active
duty troops, family members, civilian employees, defense
contractors, retirees, and survivors of fallen soldiers, and it
generates a statewide economic impact of $35.4 billion every year;
it is the largest active duty armored post in the nation's military,
home not only to members of the cavalry and the infantry, but to
tanker personnel, engineers, mechanics, health care professionals,
and workers in other disciplines; and
WHEREAS, For three-quarters of a century, Fort Hood has
played an integral part in the defense of our nation and in the
culture and economy of the Lone Star State, and the men and women of
Fort Hood may indeed take great pride in their myriad contributions
as they celebrate this special occasion; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby commemorate the 75th anniversary of Fort Hood and extend to
everyone associated with the base sincere best wishes for continued
success in their important work.
Shine
Cosper
Sheffield
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 111 was adopted by the House on
April 6, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.C.R. No. 111 was adopted by the Senate on
April 11, 2017, by a viva-voce vote.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor