86R2485 CW-D
By: Price H.R. No. 1186
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, For well over a century, Americans have set aside
Memorial Day as a time to honor those members of its military forces
who have given their lives in service to the United States; and
WHEREAS, This observance was introduced after the Civil War
as a means of paying tribute to those who had died on both sides of
the conflict; originally called Decoration Day for the practice of
adorning the graves of soldiers with flowers once a year, the
holiday came to be known as Memorial Day, a day to honor all of the
country's fallen; though it was celebrated on May 30 for a number of
decades, it has been observed on the final Monday in May since the
early 1970s; and
WHEREAS, In communities across the nation, veterans and their
fellow citizens gather in cemeteries and other public places to pay
tribute to the armed forces personnel who died protecting our
liberty; "Taps," the haunting bugle call customarily performed at
military funerals and memorials since the Civil War, is played
during these ceremonies, and in accordance with tradition, the
United States flag is lowered to half staff early in the day before
being raised again at noon; and
WHEREAS, The most well-known observance of Memorial Day
occurs in Arlington National Cemetery at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, where the remains of unidentified Americans from World War
I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War are interred;
the president of the United States, accompanied by honor guards
from all branches of the armed services, traditionally lays a
wreath at the tomb, and a bugler offers a final salute by playing
"Taps"; and
WHEREAS, Americans owe an immeasurable debt to those men and
women who made the ultimate sacrifice in behalf of the peace and
stability of our nation, and it is a privilege to join with citizens
across the country in paying homage to the courage, commitment, and
patriotism of its military personnel; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize Memorial Day 2019 in solemn
commemoration of those who have died in service to our nation.