Bill Text: TX SCR47 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Paying tribute to Gary George Wetzel on the occasion of the 2019 Medal of Honor Host City Weekend in Gainesville.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (N/A - Dead) 2019-04-25 - Laid on the table subject to call [SCR47 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-SCR47-Introduced.html
86R15344 CJM-D | ||
By: Fallon | S.C.R. No. 47 |
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WHEREAS, The valiant military service of Gary George Wetzel | ||
is being saluted as part of the 2019 Medal of Honor Host City | ||
Weekend in Gainesville; and | ||
WHEREAS, Established in 2001, Gainesville's Medal of Honor | ||
Host City Program acknowledges the heroism and sacrifice of | ||
individuals who have earned the Medal of Honor, the nation's | ||
highest military award for valor; each year, local citizens join | ||
together to fund travel costs and other expenses to bring medal | ||
recipients to the city for a special series of events; and | ||
WHEREAS, U.S. Army Specialist Fourth Class Gary George Wetzel | ||
received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War; | ||
on January 8, 1968, his unit, the 173rd Assault Helicopter Company, | ||
11th Combat Aviation Battalion, became trapped in a landing zone; | ||
his helicopter was disabled by a rocket-propelled grenade, and two | ||
crewmembers were killed by enemy fire; this gallant soldier left | ||
his post as a door gunner to provide aid to his aircraft commander | ||
when another explosion shredded his arm and hurled him into a rice | ||
paddy; despite his horrific injuries, he staggered back to his | ||
machine gun and opened fire on the enemy, eliminating an automatic | ||
weapons emplacement that had been inflicting heavy casualties on | ||
the American forces; he then helped drag his wounded comrades to | ||
safety, even though he repeatedly lost consciousness due to a loss | ||
of blood; and | ||
WHEREAS, Demonstrating extraordinary courage in the line of | ||
duty, Gary Wetzel fulfilled the highest ideals of the United States | ||
armed forces, and he has earned the lasting admiration of a grateful | ||
nation; now, therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the 86th Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
hereby pay tribute to Gary George Wetzel on the occasion of the 2019 | ||
Medal of Honor Host City Weekend in Gainesville and commend him for | ||
his exemplary service in the defense of our nation; and, be it | ||
further | ||
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
prepared for Mr. Wetzel as an expression of high regard by the Texas | ||
House of Representatives and Senate. |