2020 -- H 7951

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LC005211

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO

DESIGNATE A STATE FUNERAL FOR THE LAST SURVIVING MEDAL OF HONOR

RECIPIENT FROM WORLD WAR II WHEN SUCH RECIPIENT PASSES AWAY

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Azzinaro, Mattiello, Fellela, Abney, and Serpa

     Date Introduced: March 03, 2020

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, World War II, the most widespread war in history, lasted from 1939 until

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1945; and

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     WHEREAS, The United States entered the war in 1941, following an attack on Pearl

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Harbor by Japanese fighter planes; and

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     WHEREAS, Over sixteen million Americans served their country and the Allied powers

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over the course of the war; and

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     WHEREAS, The men and women who served our country in World War II have been

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collectively called the "greatest generation" for their selfless sacrifice; and

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     WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that is awarded by

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the United States government; and

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     WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is presented by the President of the United States, in

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the name of Congress; and

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     WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor is only conferred upon members of the United States

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Armed Forces who distinguished themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the

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risk of life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the

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United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign

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force, or while serving with friendly forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing

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armed force in which the United States was not a belligerent party; and

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     WHEREAS, More than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded to our nation's

 

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bravest soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen since the creation of the award in

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1861; and

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     WHEREAS, The Medal of Honor was awarded to 353 Americans during World War II.

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Today only 2 of those recipients are still alive; and

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     WHEREAS, These courageous servicemen, Charles H. Coolidge of Tennessee and

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Hershel Woodrow Williams of West Virginia, risked their lives while serving our country with

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conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity and therefore deserve the gratitude of the American people;

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and

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     WHEREAS, The President of the United States has the sole authority to designate a state

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funeral; and

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     WHEREAS, Historically, the President of the United States has designated state funerals

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for former presidents, generals, and other extraordinary Americans; and

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     WHEREAS, Our nation is currently divided and yearns for a unifying national event; and

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     WHEREAS, Designating a state funeral when the last surviving World War II Medal of

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Honor recipient dies would be a wonderful way for the American people to unite and honor all

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sixteen million soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guardsmen who served in our Armed

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Forces from 1941 to 1945; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby respectfully urges the President of the United States to designate a

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state funeral for the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II when such

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recipient passes away; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Vice

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President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the

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Majority Leader of the United States Senate, and members of the Rhode Island Congressional

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Delegation.

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