Bill Text: TX SR545 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled

Texas Senate Resolution 545 (Prior Session Legislation)

Enrolled

Bill Title: In memory of Homer D. Smith, Jr.

Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)

Status: (Passed) 2011-03-16 - Reported enrolled [SR545 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-SR545-Enrolled.html


	SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 545


	In Memory
	of
	Homer D. Smith, Jr.

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
	commemorates the life of Major General Homer D. Smith, Jr., who
	died March 6, 2011, at the age of 89; and

	WHEREAS, General Smith served the nation with honor and
	distinction in the United States Army for 36 years in an
	illustrious career that saw him save the lives of thousands of
	orphans and oversee the evacuation of Saigon at the conclusion of
	the Vietnam War; and

	WHEREAS, Homer D. Smith, Jr., was born February 16, 1922,
	in Breckenridge; he grew up in Ranger and graduated from Ranger
	High School before going on to graduate from Texas A&M University
	in 1943; he was commissioned into the United States Army and
	served in the European theater during World War II, helping to
	plan the logistics for the D-Day invasion; and

	WHEREAS, Following the war, he returned to civilian life
	for a short time before reentering military service in 1948; he
	rose steadily through the ranks and became a respected authority
	in logistical planning while serving in posts throughout the
	world, including Germany, Korea, and Italy; and

	WHEREAS, General Smith was assigned to Saigon in 1974 as
	Defense Attaché to the United States Embassy; during his time in
	Vietnam, he organized Operation Baby-Lift, which evacuated some
	2,000 orphans from the country, and managed Operation Frequent
	Wind, the final evacuation of more than 7,000 American civilians,
	military personnel, and Vietnamese nationals as the North
	Vietnamese closed in on Saigon; and

	WHEREAS, General Smith went on to serve as commander of the
	United States Army Logistics Center and as head of the Logistics
	Directorate at the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty
	Organization in Brussels, Belgium; over the course of his
	exemplary career, he was awarded numerous medals and citations,
	including the Distinguished Service medal with two Oak Leaf
	Clusters, the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal, and the Army
	Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters; and

	WHEREAS, A man of courage, strength, and compassion, he
	served the nation with integrity and wisdom, and his generous
	spirit and devotion to duty will not be forgotten by those who
	were privileged to share in his life; and

	WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband and father, and he leaves
	behind memories that will be treasured forever by his family and
	many friends; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
	Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
	family of Homer D. Smith, Jr.; and, be it further

	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
	his 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 Major General Homer D. Smith, Jr.

	Van de Putte, Uresti,
	Wentworth, Zaffirini



		________________________________
		President of the Senate

		I hereby certify that the
		above Resolution was adopted by
		the Senate on March 16, 2011, by a
		rising vote.



		________________________________
		Secretary of the Senate



		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate



		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate



		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate



		________________________________
		Member, Texas Senate