By: Shine, et al. H.C.R. No. 56
(Senate Sponsor - Taylor of Collin)
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 1, 2017;
May 4, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on Veteran
Affairs & Border Security; May 15, 2017, reported favorably by the
following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 15, 2017, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Purple Heart is a combat decoration awarded to
members of the United States armed forces who are wounded by an
instrument of war in the hands of the enemy or presented to the next
of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds
received in action; and
WHEREAS, Originally established by General George Washington
during the Revolutionary War, the Purple Heart was revived by means
of a presidential executive order on February 22, 1932, the 200th
anniversary of President Washington's birth, out of respect for his
military achievements; the criteria were announced by the War
Department on that date in General Order No. 3; and
WHEREAS, Texas is home to 1.5 million veterans, representing
5 percent of the nation's total veteran population; the state has 30
Purple Heart cities, 4 Purple Heart counties, and 9 Purple Heart
universities, which have all committed to recognizing veterans and
honoring their commitments to veterans services; in addition, Texas
is home to Belton New Tech High at Waskow, the first high school in
the nation to earn a Purple Heart School designation, and to Purple
Heart Elementary School in El Paso; and
WHEREAS, Numerous Texas agencies provide services to benefit
former members of the military, including the Texas Veterans
Commission, Texas Veterans' Land Board, Office of the Adjutant
General, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, State Bar of
Texas, Department of State Health Services, Texas Workforce
Commission, Texas Workforce Investment Council, Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board, Texas Correctional Office on
Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments, Texas Commission on
Jail Standards, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs,
and Texas Department of Agriculture; and
WHEREAS, The State of Texas is dedicated to improving the
lives of its veterans with the highest standard of services, and it
acknowledges the enormous sacrifices made by recipients of the
Purple Heart; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby recognize Texas as a Purple Heart State and encourage
agencies and government bodies at all levels to serve veterans with
the same degree of devotion demonstrated by members of the armed
forces in their service to our state and nation; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby designate
February 22 as Purple Heart Day; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section
391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect
until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally
passed by the legislature.
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