85R17381 KSM-F
By: Miller H.R. No. 1218
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, During the years 1917 to 1919, Texas and Texans
played a prominent role in all aspects of the United States'
involvement in the Great War; and
WHEREAS, Of the approximately 200,000 Texans who served in
the military, on land, at sea, and in the air, 5,171 made the
ultimate sacrifice for their country during World War I; and
WHEREAS, Texans served in the army, navy, and marines, and
Texas soldiers formed the army's 36th and 90th Infantry Divisions;
the state became a primary training location for numerous National
Guard divisions mobilized from other states; Texas was also an
early leader in military aviation, with more than a dozen army
aviation training and logistics bases established in the state; and
WHEREAS, Texans made noteworthy individual, heroic
contributions during their military service, and the state produced
numerous Medal of Honor recipients, French Croix de Guerre
recipients, and aviation aces; after World War I, many Texas
veterans went on to make significant contributions in government,
industry, the arts, and the military; and
WHEREAS, The people of Texas provided essential support to
the war effort by producing needed materials, purchasing war bonds
and stamps, participating in food conservation programs, and
volunteering in civic organizations, such as the Red Cross, the
YMCA, the Jewish Welfare Board, and the Salvation Army; Texas
industry and agriculture provided livestock, oil, cotton, lumber,
shipbuilding, and manufacturing in support of the war effort; and
WHEREAS, Texas cities, towns, and counties supported
numerous military training facilities that were expanded in San
Antonio and El Paso and newly constructed in Houston, Dallas, Fort
Worth, Waco, and other locations around the state; students and
alumni of Texas' institutions of higher education answered the call
to serve in the army, navy, and marines; and
WHEREAS, Texas minorities and women served with distinction
in an era that often overlooked their contributions; more than
31,000 Texas African Americans served in the army during the war, as
did a substantial number of Mexican Americans and Native Americans;
Texas women served as military service members and as civilian
nurses, Red Cross volunteers, and communications specialists; and
WHEREAS, Both public and private organizations in Texas have
preserved the historical landmarks, exhibits, and artifacts
related to the state's prominent role in World War I, including
Battleship Texas, Hangar 9, and various museum exhibits; and
WHEREAS, Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice are at the
forefront of commemorations of the war; all veterans, communities,
and civilians around the state made sacrifices that helped win the
war and ultimately propelled the United States and Texas onto the
world stage; and
WHEREAS, In 2013, the United States, through an act of
Congress and the establishment of the World War I Centennial
Commission, initiated actions to recognize the 100th anniversary of
the nation's many sacrifices during World War I; and
WHEREAS, The Texas World War I Centennial Commemoration
Association has championed the recognition of the role of Texas and
Texans in the Great War; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize the commemoration of the centennial of
World War I; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared as an
expression of gratitude to those Texans who served in World War I
and the Texas civilians who worked as part of the war effort and in
appreciation for communities and organizations that seek to
commemorate the centennial of the war through various actions and
initiatives during the period of recognition between April 2017,
the 100th anniversary of the United States' entry into the war, and
June 2019, the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of
Versailles.