85R8257 BPG-D     By: Taylor of Collin S.C.R. No. 21       CONCURRENT RESOLUTION          WHEREAS, The Purple Heart is a combat decoration awarded to   members of the United States armed forces who are wounded by an   instrument of war in the hands of the enemy or presented to the next   of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds   received in action; and          WHEREAS, In 1932, the Military Order of the Purple Heart was   established to protect and further the interests of Purple Heart   recipients; its membership remains composed entirely of Purple   Heart recipients; and          WHEREAS, Texas is home to 1.5 million veterans, representing   5 percent of the nation's total veteran population; the state has 29   Purple Heart cities, 4 Purple Heart counties, and 9 Purple Heart   universities, which have all committed to recognizing veterans and   honoring their commitments to veterans services; in addition, Texas   is home to Henry T. Waskow New Tech High School in Belton, the first   high school in the nation to earn a Purple Heart School designation,   and to Purple Heart Elementary School in El Paso; and          WHEREAS, Numerous Texas agencies provide services to benefit   former members of the military, including the Texas Veterans   Commission, Texas Veterans Land Board, Office of the Adjutant   General, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, State Bar of   Texas, Department of State Health Services, Department of Assistive   and Rehabilitative Services, Texas Workforce Commission, Texas   Workforce Investment Council, Texas Higher Education Coordinating   Board, Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or   Mental Impairments, Texas Commission on Jail Standards, Texas   Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and Texas Department   of Agriculture; and          WHEREAS, The State of Texas is dedicated to improving the   lives of its veterans with the highest standard of services, and it   acknowledges the enormous sacrifices made by recipients of the   Purple Heart; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas   hereby recognize Texas as a Purple Heart State; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature encourage agencies and   government bodies at all levels to serve veterans with the same   degree of devotion demonstrated by members of the armed forces in   their service to our state and nation.