Bill Text: TX HR90 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Congratulating U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (Ret.) John Footman on his official receipt of the Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and the Purple Heart for service in the Vietnam War.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-03-16 - Reported enrolled [HR90 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-HR90-Enrolled.html
| H.R. No. 90 | ||
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| WHEREAS, On January 11, 2023, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (Ret.) | ||
| John Footman of Harker Heights was officially awarded the Bronze | ||
| Star Medal with Valor Device and the Purple Heart in a pinning | ||
| ceremony at Fort Hood; the presentation came 52 years after he | ||
| received the commendations in a more informal manner during his | ||
| second tour of combat duty in the Vietnam War; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, | ||
| Mr. Footman was drafted for military service in 1967; eager to | ||
| serve his country, he undertook training in Georgia and Louisiana | ||
| before being sent to Vietnam for the first time in 1968; during that | ||
| tour of duty, he was awarded his first Purple Heart medal after | ||
| being wounded in the leg by enemy fire; he was subsequently posted | ||
| to Germany, and in 1970 he valiantly volunteered to return to the | ||
| war in Southeast Asia; and | ||
| WHEREAS, During his second tour of duty, Mr. Footman fought | ||
| with the 4th and 5th Infantry Divisions; demonstrating exceptional | ||
| leadership and courage, he earned his Bronze Star Medal with Valor | ||
| Device after capturing enemy equipment and intelligence documents | ||
| and discovering a weapons cache; he was seriously wounded when his | ||
| personnel carrier struck a land mine, and though he was initially | ||
| told that he wouldn't walk again, he defied the doctors' prognoses | ||
| and was able to regain the use of his legs several weeks after he was | ||
| hospitalized; in recognition of his heroic service during both of | ||
| his combat tours, he was ultimately awarded two Bronze Stars and two | ||
| Purple Hearts as well as three Army Commendation Medals; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Mr. Footman remained a member of the military until | ||
| retiring in 1987, and he has continued to serve his fellow service | ||
| members in myriad ways; a member of Disabled American Veterans and | ||
| Veterans of Foreign Wars, he plays a vital role in helping | ||
| active-duty soldiers and veterans receive the assistance they need | ||
| in transitioning to civilian life, and he has been honored for his | ||
| community service as part of the Congressional Veteran Commendation | ||
| program; moreover, he is a past commander for the Harker Heights | ||
| chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Military | ||
| Order of the Purple Heart Department of Texas; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Through his unfaltering bravery and devotion to | ||
| duty, John Footman has long exemplified the highest ideals of the | ||
| U.S. armed forces, and it is indeed a pleasure to congratulate him | ||
| on his official receipt of these prestigious military honors; now, | ||
| therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas | ||
| Legislature hereby congratulate U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (Ret.) | ||
| John Footman for his official receipt of the Bronze Star Medal with | ||
| Valor Device and the Purple Heart and commend him for his | ||
| exceptional service in behalf of his nation; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be | ||
| prepared for Mr. Footman as an expression of high regard by the | ||
| Texas House of Representatives. | ||
| Shine | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Speaker of the House | ||
| I certify that H.R. No. 90 was adopted by the House on March | ||
| 8, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 0, 2 present, not | ||
| voting. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
