85R13973 BPG-D     By: Shine, et al. H.C.R. No. 56     Substitute the following for H.C.R. No. 56:     By:  Gutierrez C.S.H.C.R. No. 56       HOUSE 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, Originally established by General George Washington   during the Revolutionary War, the Purple Heart was revived by means   of a presidential executive order on February 22, 1932, the 200th   anniversary of President Washington's birth, out of respect for his   military achievements; the criteria were announced by the War   Department on that date in General Order No. 3; 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 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; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby designate   February 22 as Purple Heart Day; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section   391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in effect   until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally   passed by the legislature.