SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 529 WHEREAS, The observance of World War II Veterans Capitol Day on May 11, 2023, provides an opportunity to honor brave members of the Greatest Generation for their selfless service; and WHEREAS, In December 1941, the United States was drawn into the most devastating and consequential conflict in human history; then-Texas Governor Coke R. Stevenson predicted that Texans would rise proudly to the challenge of defending their country, and he was proved correct by the long lines of men waiting eagerly to enlist at recruiting centers around the state; and WHEREAS, Although Texas in that era had but five percent of the nation's population, it provided seven percent of armed forces personnel; Texas A&M University produced more officers than both of the extant military academies together; by the end of the war, 750,000 Texans, including 12,000 women, had contributed to victory over enemy forces; the majority of these service members were in the U.S. Army and the Army Air Force, but nearly a quarter served in other branches; over 22,000 Texans made the ultimate sacrifice, a third of this number in the navy, marines, or coast guard; and WHEREAS, Individual Texans fought with great valor in all the theaters of the war, and 33 were awarded the Medal of Honor; one such honoree, Lieutenant Audie L. Murphy of Farmersville, was the most highly decorated American of the Second World War; more than 150 generals and 12 admirals were either natives or residents of Texas, among them the supreme Allied commander in Europe, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Denison native who was stationed at Fort Sam Houston when the war began; Chester W. Nimitz, appointed commander of the Pacific Fleet following the attack on Pearl Harbor, was born in Fredericksburg and descended from a pioneer Texas German family; and WHEREAS, According to the National World War II Museum, as of 2022, 8,200 World War II veterans were living in Texas, the fifth-highest number of all states in the U.S.; they represent 0.6 percent of the state's total veteran population of approximately 1,400,000; and WHEREAS, Inspired by a deep sense of patriotism and love for democracy, the veterans of World War II answered their nation's call to duty, and it is indeed fitting to express our enduring respect and admiration for their courage and immeasurable fortitude; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th Legislature, hereby recognize May 11, 2023, as World War II Veterans Capitol Day and encourage all residents of the Lone Star State to learn more about the incomparable contributions of the Greatest Generation. Parker Alvarado Hancock Miles Alvarado Hancock Miles Alvarado Hancock Miles Bettencourt Hinojosa Nichols Bettencourt Hinojosa Nichols Bettencourt Hinojosa Nichols Birdwell Huffman Paxton Birdwell Huffman Paxton Birdwell Huffman Paxton Blanco Hughes Perry Blanco Hughes Perry Blanco Hughes Perry Campbell Johnson Schwertner Campbell Johnson Schwertner Campbell Johnson Schwertner Creighton King Sparks Creighton King Sparks Creighton King Sparks Eckhardt Kolkhorst Springer Eckhardt Kolkhorst Springer Eckhardt Kolkhorst Springer Flores LaMantia West Flores LaMantia West Flores LaMantia West Gutierrez Menéndez Whitmire Gutierrez Menéndez Whitmire Gutierrez Menéndez Whitmire Hall Middleton Zaffirini Hall Middleton Zaffirini Hall Middleton Zaffirini Patrick, President of the Senate ________________________________ President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 11, 2023. ________________________________ Secretary of the Senate ________________________________ Member, Texas Senate Alvarado Hancock Miles Bettencourt Hinojosa Nichols Birdwell Huffman Paxton Blanco Hughes Perry Campbell Johnson Schwertner Creighton King Sparks Eckhardt Kolkhorst Springer Flores LaMantia West Gutierrez Menéndez Whitmire Hall Middleton Zaffirini