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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Purple Heart is a combat decoration awarded to |
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members of the United States armed forces who are wounded by an |
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instrument of war in the hands of the enemy or presented to the next |
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of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds |
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received in action; and |
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WHEREAS, Originally established by General George Washington |
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during the Revolutionary War, the Purple Heart was revived by means |
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of a presidential executive order on February 22, 1932, the 200th |
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anniversary of President Washington's birth, out of respect for his |
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military achievements; the criteria were announced by the War |
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Department on that date in General Order No. 3; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas is home to 1.5 million veterans, representing |
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5 percent of the nation's total veteran population; the state has 30 |
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Purple Heart cities, 4 Purple Heart counties, and 9 Purple Heart |
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universities, which have all committed to recognizing veterans and |
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honoring their commitments to veterans services; in addition, Texas |
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is home to Belton New Tech High at Waskow, the first high school in |
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the nation to earn a Purple Heart School designation, and to Purple |
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Heart Elementary School in El Paso; and |
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WHEREAS, Numerous Texas agencies provide services to benefit |
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former members of the military, including the Texas Veterans |
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Commission, Texas Veterans' Land Board, Office of the Adjutant |
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General, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, State Bar of |
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Texas, Department of State Health Services, Texas Workforce |
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Commission, Texas Workforce Investment Council, Texas Higher |
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Education Coordinating Board, Texas Correctional Office on |
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Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments, Texas Commission on |
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Jail Standards, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, |
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and Texas Department of Agriculture; and |
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WHEREAS, The State of Texas is dedicated to improving the |
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lives of its veterans with the highest standard of services, and it |
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acknowledges the enormous sacrifices made by recipients of the |
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Purple Heart; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby recognize Texas as a Purple Heart State and encourage |
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agencies and government bodies at all levels to serve veterans with |
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the same degree of devotion demonstrated by members of the armed |
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forces in their service to our state and nation; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby designate |
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February 22 as Purple Heart Day; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section |
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391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect |
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until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally |
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passed by the legislature. |