Bill Text: TX HR2249 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognizing September 15, 2023, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-05-30 - Reported enrolled [HR2249 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HR2249-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 2249 | ||
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| WHEREAS, On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, which is being | ||
| observed on September 15, 2023, citizens across Texas and the | ||
| United States pay solemn tribute to the servicemen and servicewomen | ||
| who were held as prisoners of war or who remain missing in action | ||
| from our nation's conflicts; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The toll of war is never-ending, lasting far beyond | ||
| cease-fires, armistices, and treaties; many thousands of soldiers, | ||
| sailors, and airmen are still considered missing in action from | ||
| World War II, and thousands more are listed as missing from | ||
| subsequent wars; decades after their loved ones have been listed as | ||
| unaccounted for, families continue to mourn and to seek answers as | ||
| well as respite from the emotional burden of not knowing the fate of | ||
| a beloved parent, sibling, or child; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The first national commemoration of POWs and MIAs | ||
| was held in 1979, when the U.S. Congress passed a resolution | ||
| specifying July 18 as National POW/MIA Recognition Day, and a | ||
| ceremony was held in the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.; in | ||
| 1984, President Ronald Reagan hosted a ceremony at the White House, | ||
| which served to honor all returned POWs while also renewing the | ||
| commitment to account for the missing; since 1986, the | ||
| commemoration has been held on the third Friday in September, and on | ||
| that day each year, the black-and-white POW/MIA flag has been flown | ||
| over the White House and the U.S. Capitol, as well as over state | ||
| capitols, military bases, ships at sea, schools, places of worship, | ||
| and many other venues; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Our men and women in uniform and their families make | ||
| tremendous sacrifices in order to preserve our freedom and our way | ||
| of life, and they are owed a profound debt of gratitude as well as | ||
| the steadfast commitment of our nation to continue its work to | ||
| ensure that all missing Americans are accounted for or returned | ||
| home in dignity and honor; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby commemorate September 15, 2023, as National | ||
| POW/MIA Recognition Day and assure the families of prisoners of war | ||
| and those still missing in action that their loved ones will never | ||
| be forgotten. | ||
| Price | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 2249 was adopted by the House on May | ||
| 29, 2023, by a non-record vote. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
