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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Juan C. Marquez of El Paso rendered distinguished |
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service as a private in the United States Army during World War II, |
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and his courageous efforts have been posthumously recognized with a |
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ceremony at Fort Bliss, where the honors that he earned were |
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formally presented to members of his family; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Cuadrilla, in southern El Paso County, |
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Mr. Marquez was born on June 14, 1911; he reported to Fort Bliss on |
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January 19, 1944, and three weeks later he was sent to the European |
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theater, where he served as a rifleman with the 44th Infantry |
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Division, 3rd Battalion, 71st Infantry Regiment; in the course of |
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fighting, Private Marquez was wounded by shrapnel, and on December |
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11, 1944, he was struck by a German tank near Woelfling, in |
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northeastern France, and suffered broken ribs and a separated |
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shoulder; and |
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WHEREAS, After the end of the war in Europe, Mr. Marquez |
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returned home to his family in El Paso; tragically, he died in a car |
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crash on August 29, 1948, leaving behind his wife, Daisy, and their |
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four young sons; and |
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WHEREAS, Years after his death, Mr. Marquez's family gained |
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an even deeper appreciation for his contributions during the war |
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when they read in his discharge papers a list of the medals that he |
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had earned, but which he had never received; with the help of |
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Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, this oversight was rectified, and at |
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a ceremony held at Fort Bliss on December 7, 2012, Major General |
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Dana Pittard officially presented Mr. Marquez's military awards to |
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his two surviving sons, Dr. J. Antonio Marquez and Dr. Ricardo |
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Marquez, his granddaughter, Texas State Representative Marisa |
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Marquez, and other members of his family; these awards included two |
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Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the |
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European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three stars, |
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the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal, the |
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Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Through his steadfast valor and unwavering |
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dedication to duty, Juan Marquez embodied the highest ideals of the |
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United States armed forces, and his fellow citizens owe him a debt |
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of gratitude that the passage of time can never diminish; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby pay tribute to the life of World War II veteran Juan |
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C. Marquez and commemorate the posthumous presentation of his |
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military awards; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for his family as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives and Senate. |
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Marquez |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.C.R. No. 126 was adopted by the House on May |
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17, 2013, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.C.R. No. 126 was unanimously adopted by a |
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rising vote of the Senate on May 21, 2013. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |