Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas House Bill HCR112 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	H.C.R. No. 112
	1	+	88R28872 BK-D
	2	+	By: Bell of Montgomery H.C.R. No. 112
2	3
3	4
4		-	~~HOUSE~~ CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	5	+	CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
5	6		WHEREAS, The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor was established
6	7		to recognize gallant and intrepid service by a member of the state
7	8		or federal military forces, and U.S. Army Sergeant Major Jerry L.
8	9		Bell of Leon County proved himself a deserving recipient of this
9	10		prestigious commendation through his heroic actions during the
10	11		Vietnam War; and
11	12		WHEREAS, A native of Leon County and a fourth generation
12	13		Texan, Jerry Lynn Bell enlisted in the U.S. Army in Houston; after
13	14		distinguishing himself as a tank commander, he was assigned from
14	15		May 1969 to June 1970 as a non-aviator crew member with Troop B, 7th
15	16		Armored Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, in Vietnam; serving as an
16	17		observer on light observation helicopters that conducted
17	18		reconnaissance over hostile territory, he repeatedly demonstrated
18	19		his willingness to place himself in harm's way to protect his fellow
19	20		soldiers; and
20	21		WHEREAS, On February 25, 1970, Sergeant Bell took part in a
21	22		mission in which an accompanying helicopter was shot down, severely
22	23		injuring its crew; exposed to intense fire while his aircraft
23	24		advanced toward the crash site at treetop level, Sergeant Bell
24	25		suffered shrapnel wounds to his left arm and chest but kept the
25	26		enemy at bay by firing on their position with his machine gun; his
26	27		efforts provided cover to facilitate a rescue of the aviators in the
27	28		downed craft, and he also assisted by keeping his helicopter's
28	29		rotor clear of obstacles and tending to injured crew members on the
29	30		ground; after the wounded were evacuated for medical treatment, he
30	31		and the pilot returned to the combat zone and marked the enemy
31	32		fortifications so that they could be targeted by gunships,
32	33		artillery, and air strikes; and
33	34		WHEREAS, Sergeant Bell took part in numerous other combat
34	35		missions during his 13 months with Troop B in Vietnam, and at one
35	36		point, he made 25 flights over a three-week period; his willingness
36	37		to go above and beyond the call of duty was recognized with numerous
37	38		commendations; in addition to the Purple Heart he received for his
38	39		shrapnel wounds, he was honored with the Distinguished Flying
39	40		Cross, the Army Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star with "V"
40	41		device, multiple Air Medals, the Vietnam Service Medal with four
41	42		bronze service stars, the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak
42	43		leaf cluster, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm
43	44		ribbon; and
44	45		WHEREAS, This dedicated soldier ultimately completed 21
45	46		years of active duty in the armed forces, attaining the rank of
46	47		sergeant major, and he was posted to Germany and Korea, among other
47	48		locations; his final duty station was at Fort Bliss in El Paso,
48	49		where he was the enlisted advisor to the 2nd Brigade, 49th Armored
49	50		Division, of the Texas National Guard; after retiring from the
50	51		military, he served as a postal carrier in Leon County, worked for a
51	52		construction company, operated a gun store, and successfully ran
52	53		for mayor of Leona; he passed away on January 10, 2021, at the age of
53	54		77, leaving behind his wife, Alice Bell, his four children, Jerry,
54	55		Harold, Kimberly, and Wendy, and many grandchildren and
55	56		great-grandchildren; and
56	57		WHEREAS, Jerry Bell distinguished himself through his acts of
57	58		extraordinary courage, patriotism, and selflessness on the
58	59		battlefield, and it is indeed fitting that he be honored with the
59	60		highest military award conferred by the State of Texas; now,
60	61		therefore, be it
61	62		RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
62	63		hereby direct the governor of the State of Texas to posthumously
63	64		award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to Jerry L. Bell in
64	65		recognition of his valiant service during the Vietnam War.
65		-	Bell of Montgomery
66		-	______________________________ ______________________________
67		-	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
68		-	I certify that H.C.R. No. 112 was adopted by the House on May
69		-	19, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not
70		-	voting.
71		-	______________________________
72		-	Chief Clerk of the House
73		-	I certify that H.C.R. No. 112 was adopted by the Senate on May
74		-	26, 2023, by a rising vote.
75		-	______________________________
76		-	Secretary of the Senate
77		-	APPROVED: __________________
78		-	Date
79		-	__________________
80		-	Governor