Bill Text: MS SC620 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled


Bill Title: Designate March 29, 2016, as "Vietnam Veterans Day in Mississippi."

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2016-04-07 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC620 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2016-SC620-Enrolled.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2016 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Tollison, Burton, Younger, Wilemon, Jackson (15th), Clarke, Watson, Barnett, Blackwell, Browning, Carmichael, Caughman, Dearing, DeBar, Frazier, Hopson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Kirby, Massey, McMahan, Norwood, Parker, Simmons (13th), Stone

Senate Concurrent Resolution 620

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING MARCH 29, 2016, AS "VIETNAM VETERANS DAY IN MISSISSIPPI."

     WHEREAS, on January 12, 1962, United States Army pilots lifted more than 1,000 South Vietnamese service members over jungle and underbrush to capture a National Liberation Front stronghold near Saigon.  Operation Chopper marked America's first combat mission against the Viet Cong, and the beginning of one of our longest and most challenging wars; and

     WHEREAS, through more than a decade of conflict that tested the fabric of our nation, the service of our men and women in uniform stood true.  Fifty years after that fateful mission, we honor the more than 3 million Americans who served, we pay tribute to those we have laid to rest, and we reaffirm our dedication to showing a generation of veterans the respect and support of a grateful nation; and

     WHEREAS, the Vietnam War is a story of service members of different backgrounds, colors and creeds who came together to complete a daunting mission.  It is a story of Americans from every corner of our nation who left the warmth of family to serve the country they loved.  It is a story of patriots who braved the line of fire, who cast themselves into harm's way to save a friend, who fought hour after hour, day after day to preserve the liberties we hold dear.  From Ia Drang to Hue, they won every major battle of the war and upheld the highest traditions of our Armed Forces; and

     WHEREAS, eleven years of combat left their imprint on a generation.  Thousands returned home bearing shrapnel and scars; still more were burdened by the invisible wounds of post-traumatic stress, of Agent Orange, of memories that would never fade.  More than 58,000 laid down their lives in service to our nation.  Now and forever, their names are etched into two faces of black granite, a lasting memorial to those who bore conflict's greatest cost; and

     WHEREAS, our veterans answered our country's call and served with honor, and on March 29, 1973, the last of our troops left Vietnam.  Yet, in one of the war's most profound tragedies, many of these men and women came home to be shunned or neglected, to face treatment unbefitting their courage and a welcome unworthy of their example; and

     WHEREAS, today, we reaffirm one of our most fundamental obligations:  to show all who have worn the uniform of the United States the respect and dignity they deserve, and to honor their sacrifice by serving them as well as they served us; and

     WHEREAS, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, has proclaimed March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day in the United States, calling upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities that commemorate the 50-Year Anniversary of the Vietnam War; and

     WHEREAS, half a century after those helicopters swept off the ground and into the annals of history, we pay tribute to the fallen, the missing, the wounded, the millions who served, and the millions more who awaited their return.  Our nation stands stronger for their service, and on Vietnam Veterans Day, we honor their proud legacy with our deepest gratitude:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby designate March 29, 2016, as "Vietnam Veterans Day in Mississippi," encouraging all Mississippians to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities that commemorate the 50-Year Anniversary of the Vietnam War.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the Mississippi American Legion, the Mississippi Military Department and the State Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.

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