SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 232
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
the Battleship Texas, Hangar 9, and various museum exhibits; and
WHEREAS, Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice are at the
forefrontofcommemorationsofthewar;allveterans,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 Senate of the State of Texas, 85th
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.
Campbell
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 5, 2017.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate