Bill Text: TX SR530 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Enrolled

Texas Senate Resolution 530 (Prior Session Legislation)

Enrolled

Bill Title: In memory of Lucy Coffey.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2015-04-13 - Reported enrolled [SR530 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-SR530-Enrolled.html


	SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 530


	In Memory
	of
	Lucy Coffey

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas remembers and
	pays tribute to Lucy Coffey, one of the oldest female World War II
	veterans, who passed away in San Antonio on March 19, 2015, at the
	age of 108; and
	WHEREAS, Originally from Mahalasville, Indiana, Lucy
	Coffey moved to Dallas and was working for an A&P grocery store
	when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941; she quit her job and
	joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps at the age of 37, one of
	only 150,000 women to join the corps who were not nurses; Lucy's
	intense desire to serve is evident in the multiple attempts she
	made to enlist; due to her small stature, she had to apply a
	number of times to the corps, but her tenacity paid off when she
	was finally accepted into the military in 1943; and
	WHEREAS, Lucy served honorably in the Pacific, earning the
	rank of staff sergeant, and was awarded the Philippine Liberation
	Medal with a bronze star in the Battle of Luzon; in addition, she
	earned an Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with one bronze star, a
	World War II Victory Medal, the Women's Army Corps Service Medal,
	and a Good Conduct Medal; she served in Australia, New Guinea,
	the Philippines, and eventually Japan, where she worked as an
	account-statistician; and
	WHEREAS, Lucy Coffey braved the horrors of combat when her
	unit moved closer to the front lines, where the unit faced food
	and water shortages and sometimes depended on Navy sailors to
	share their rations; two of Staff Sergeant Coffey's brothers
	served in the Pacific as well, testifying to the Coffey family's
	commitment to the nation; in an era when many thought that women
	did not have a place in the military, Staff Sergeant Coffey led by
	example and volunteered to defend the nation during a time of
	dire need; and
	WHEREAS, After her discharge in 1945, Lucy Coffey spent 13
	years working as an Army civilian in Okinawa, Japan, before
	settling in San Antonio, where she would spend the rest of her
	life; she worked in the procurement office at Kelly Air Force
	Base until her retirement in 1971; Lucy Coffey maintained a
	strong spirit of service to her country during her lifetime,
	continuing to serve the greater good well beyond her military
	enlistment; and
	WHEREAS, Lucy Coffey was one of 400,000 women who served
	their country during World War II; many things have changed
	in the military since Staff Sergeant Coffey joined, but it
	was women like her who blazed a trail for modern female
	soldiers and helped expand female service from one small unit
	to the force of more than two million American women it is
	today; the San Antonio Veterans Service Office stated that
	Lucy Coffey "was an incredible lady who will be missed dearly"
	and that "her contributions to our country and community will not
	be forgotten"; and
	WHEREAS, Despite over 70 years of continuous service,
	women in the military still face challenges on a daily basis, but
	Lucy Coffey's legacy continues to inspire them; she opened
	avenues for women to serve this country by answering the nation's
	first call for service for women, and her memory lives on as a
	testament to the resilience and determination of all veterans in
	the face of danger; her valor and conviction impart confidence to
	younger generations' future leaders, both military and civilian;
	and
	WHEREAS, Lucy Coffey was honored at the White House in 2014
	by the president and vice president during her visit to the
	memorials dedicated to veterans; she was a humble pioneer of
	military equality and esprit de corps; she suffered a stroke in
	2013 and used an oxygen system during her last years, yet she
	remained energetic and enthusiastic, speaking to reporters and
	audiences about her incomparable experiences; when asked about
	her service just before her death, Staff Sergeant Coffey replied,
	"I'd love to serve my country forever"; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
	Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the family and
	friends of Lucy Coffey; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
	her family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
	Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
	memory of Lucy Coffey.

	Menéndez, Campbell



		________________________________
		President of the Senate

		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on April 13, 2015, by a
		rising vote.



		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate



		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate



		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate