Bill Text: MS HC29 | 2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Billie Hopkins; commend the valiant and dedicated service rendered as a World War II veteran.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Passed) 2010-01-26 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC29 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2010-HC29-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Turner
House Concurrent Resolution 29
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE GALLANT AND DEDICATED SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF WORLD WAR II VETERAN AND THREE-TIME PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT BILLIE HOPKINS OF BALDWYN, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, Mr. Billie Hopkins is being honored and recognized for his brave and fearless military service to this great country; and
WHEREAS, on December 20, 1945, World War II veteran, Billie Hopkins, of Baldwyn, Mississippi, was discharged from the United States Army, having earned three purple hearts while serving overseas for 21 months with the 79th Infantry Division, 315th Regiment; and
WHEREAS, in preparation of his valiant service, Mr. Hopkins underwent Army combat basic training in 1943 at Camp Shelby, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where today most Mississippi National Guard troops do their training; and
WHEREAS, before going overseas to the European Theater on April 7, 1944, Mr. Hopkins requested a transfer to the 79th Regiment, in Salinas, Kansas, for further training as a ground fighter and scout; and
WHEREAS, on June 12, 1944, Mr. Hopkins was injured on his first day of action while landing at Normandy only six days after D-Day, and despite injuries to his back and foot, he continued to fight honorably the next day, which is a testament to his drive and determination; and
WHEREAS, less than a month after his first wound, Hopkins suffered his second wound when an artillery shell knocked him unconscious for four or five hours, and as a result, Hopkins was taken to the field hospital with severe injuries that damaged his ear drums causing him to receive artificial ear drums that are enhanced with hearing aids in both ears today; and
WHEREAS, on November 15, 1944, Mr. Hopkins suffered his third injury that paralyzed his right side all the way to the hip, and
in addition to the injury, infection from the shrapnel set in and Hopkins had to have surgery on Thanksgiving Day and was in the hospital until the day after Christmas; and
WHEREAS, due to the lengthy recuperation ahead of Mr. Hopkins, his commanding officer gave him another assignment as a radio man with a regiment that was armed with 81-mm mortars, and in that pivotal role he helped save many lives by ensuring that the regiment had sufficient artillery; and
WHEREAS, after his courageous service in the war, Mr. Hopkins returned to the Thrasher Community; however, a year of farming could not overcome his yearning for a career in the military, and he re-enlisted in the Air Force in 1947; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hopkins had served three years at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi before a new career, and his entrepreneurial sprit, brought him to Baldwyn in 1950, where he went into the grocery business with his brother and started other self-owned businesses until his retirement in 1986; and
WHEREAS, prior to going to war, Mr. Hopkins met Betty Isbell of Booneville, and upon returning to the states he started courting her again and the two were happily married on April 18, 1948; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hopkins' wife and their only child, retired Tupelo teacher, Emily J. Hopkins, have helped to preserve mementos of his service, which include a small Christmas tree constructed of small United States flags, which was given as an 86th birthday gift on December 3, 2008, from his daughter, and which he pridefully displays year-around; and
WHEREAS, Billie Hopkins, known as an ideal protector for his wife of 61 years and provider and inspiration for his entire household, not only fought for his country and family but for his allegiance as a Magnolia State citizen; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, Honor Flight Tennessee Valley fulfilled a long-held dream of Mr. Billie Hopkins when he was selected by the nonprofit organization to go to Washington to visit the National World War II Memorial and other memorials in the nation's capital dedicated to their service; and
WHEREAS, in addition to visiting memorials, each veteran received a United States flag that had flown over the Capitol in the veteran's honor, as well as a certificate commemorating the occasion with the veteran's name on it, which demonstrates the honor fearless veterans, such as Mr. Hopkins, deserve; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize brave Mississippians such as Mr. Billie Hopkins who are counted among America's heroes and committed to our nation's safety and security and as a result, it is with great pride and humility that we recognize the heroic action of this great American and Mississippian:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the gallant and dedicated service and sacrifice of World War II veteran and three-time purple heart recipient, Mr. Billie Hopkins, and extend best wishes to him in all of his endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Billie Hopkins and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
